Ernst Breit

Ernst Breit (20 August 1924 – 22 February 2013) was a German trade union leader.

Born in Rickelshof, Breit joined the Reichspost as a trainee inspector in 1941, but the following year was conscripted into the army.

He joined the German Postal Union (DPG), becoming part of his local works council.

In 1978, Breit was elected as the president of the PTTI, then in 1982 he became the chair of the German Trade Union Confederation.

[1] His time in office was difficult, working with the conservative government of Helmut Kohl, but he was well regarded, and in 1985 also became the president of the European Trade Union Confederation.