Heinz Oskar Vetter

Born in Bochum, Vetter completed an apprenticeship as a locksmith, before becoming a machinist at a coal mine.

He served in the Luftwaffe during World War II, before returning to mining.

In 1953, he joined the Social Democratic Party of Germany.

[1] In 1960, Vetter was elected to the executive of IG BE, and in 1964 he became its vice-president.

In 1969, he left, to become president of the German Trade Union Confederation, serving until 1982.