ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the behaviour of Christian Trade Unions during strikes by comparing statistical evidence about them and their social democratic counterpart, the Free Trade Unions. It outlines the basic views about strikes common to all Christian unions. The chapter attempts to arrive at a general statistical approximation of the Christian unions' strike practices and also summarizes the peculiarities. The Christian unions took part in these strikes largely to counter their reputation as 'lackeys of the employers and the Church' who were not likely to strike. The chapter summarizes the data on the strike activities of the Christian Trade Unions before the First World War, it must be pointed out that they were not 'yellow', 'economic-pacifist' organizations. The fact that there were several layers of motivations contributing to the willingness to strike or to support a strike is most clearly demonstrated by the history of the most influential Christian union, the Gewerkverein Christlicher Bergarbeiter.
