In West Germany this month, a large number of workers hold "wildcat strikes" for more pay without union support, because although economic conditions have improved, the unions are bound by the "concerted action" and wage agreements.
3 September
1969
Near the Springer tower block in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg, a construction worker succeeds in escaping from East to West Berlin.
RIAS interview with an escaped construction worker, 3 September 1969 (in German) (Source: Archiv Deutschlandradio, Broadcast: Rundschau am Abend, Moderator: nicht genannt, Interviewer vom Springer-Verlag)
28 September
1969
At elections for the West German Bundestag, the CDU/CSU gains 46.1 percent of votes: SPD (42.7 percent) and FDP (5.8 percent) form a social-liberal coalition with a bare majority. The new Chancellor is Willy Brandt (SPD); Foreign Minister is Walter Scheel (FDP).
In his government statement of 28 October 1969, Brandt stresses his willingness to recognise the existence of a second state in Germany and to treat with the GDR government on the basis of equality. The main focus of the statement is the announcement of domestic reform measures.less
