Harry Tisch

Harry Tisch was an East German politician and trade unionist who served as Chairman of the Free German Trade Union Federation between 1975 and 1989. He was also a member of the State Council from 1976 until he was forced to resign in November 1989.

Early career

Following World War II, Tisch worked as a locksmith in Ueckermünde and joined the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, the German Free Youth League and the German Free Trade Unions. From 1948 to 1953 he held several leading positions. From 1953 to 1955 he studied at the Karl Marx Higher Party School.

Career and awards

He was a recipient of the Patriotic Order of Merit in Gold in 1969 and the Order of Karl Marx in 1977.

Following the collapse of the GDR

In a trial for profiting from his position, to the tune of $71 million, Tisch was sentenced in 1991 to 18 months in prison and released after serving 14 months in pre-trial detention. He died of heart failure in 1995. Harry Tisch was a fan of the German football club FC Hansa Rostock.