With the break-up of the empire, the OSČ emerged as the major trade union force in Czechoslovakia up to the Second World War.
Odborové sdružení českoslovanské ('Czechoslav Trade Union Association') was founded in Prague on January 31, 1897.
The founding congress was attended by 108 delegates, representing 90 trade union organizations, who met in the metalworkers' assembly hall in Karlín.
The Vienna Commission argued that the Czech autonomism was a minority standpoint within the labour movement, while the OSČ became more vocal.
Nevertheless, the Vienna Commission unions continued to encompass the majority of ethnic Czech workers in those regions.
Repressive measures were enacted by the government in order to forestall strikes in the strategically important mining and industrial sectors.
[7] Between April and October 1918, OSČ negotiated a possible merger with the National Socialist Československá obec dělnická (ČOD).
[8] In October 1918 the OSČ changed its name to Odborové sdružení československé ('Czechoslovak Trade Union Association').
On February 2, 1919, a Regional Trade Union Council of OSČ was formed in Slovakia, with a secretariat in Ružomberok.
[9] Also, by February 1919, the Vienna Commission union organization that were now within the boundaries of the independent Czechoslovak Republic merged into OSČ.