FOA (trade union) explained

FOA
Location Country:Denmark
Affiliation:FH
Members:153,985 (2018)
Founded:December 1992
Headquarters:Copenhagen, Denmark
Key People:Mona Striib (President)

The FOA (from Danish: Forbundet af Offenligt Ansatte) is a trade union representing public sector workers in Denmark.

History

The union was established in December 1992, when the Danish Municipal Workers' Union merged with the Homeworkers' Union, forming the Union of Public Employees (FOA). Changes in the health and social care sectors in Denmark had led to the two unions competing for the same members, and the merger intended to remove this competition. Initially, it had four sectors: social and health care, cooking and cleaning, technology and service, and education.[1]

Like its predecessors, the FOA affiliated to the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), becoming its third largest member.[2] Since 2019, it has been a member of the LO's successor, the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions (FH).

In January 2005, the Danish Union of Educators also merged into the FOA.[3] As of 2018, the union had 153,985 members.[4] The majority work for local and regional governments, in roles including nursing, firefighting, cooking, cleaning, building maintenance, and bus driving, although a minority work in similar roles in the private sector.[5]

Leadership

Presidents

1992: Poul Winckler

2005: Dennis Kristensen

2018: Mona Striib

Vice-Presidents

1992: Margit Vognsen

2004: Mona Striib

2018: Thomas Enghausen

Notes and References

  1. Web site: DKA og HAF sammenlægges . FOA . 10 February 2020.
  2. Book: 2005. Trade Unions of the World. ICTUR. International Centre for Trade Union Rights. etal . 6th. John Harper Publishing. London, UK. 0-9543811-5-7.
  3. Web site: PMF og FOA siger ja til fusion . FOA . 10 February 2020.
  4. Web site: Members per 31.12 by sex, member of organisation and time . Statistics Denmark . 3 February 2020.
  5. Web site: Om FOA . FOA . 10 February 2020.