Denmark

Abstract

The roots and the present structure of the Danish trade union movement date back more than 100 years. Already before the turn of the century, today’s system of trade unions and employers’ federations and their central organisations was established with strong, representative, well-organised and responsible bodies. The Danish trade unions, from the outset, have always had and still have broader objectives than just the protection of wages and working conditions. With the rapid economic growth from 1958 and its concomitants of full employment and the creation of the modern welfare society, the Danish trade union movement faced a hitherto unexperienced situation. The trade unions also became more active at the local, and not least at the regional levels, during this period. They were above all interested in regional development in order to eradicate the remaining pockets of unemployment.