The foundations for organising workers were laid towards the end of the 19th century when workers with the same skills formed local associations for mutual support in case of sickness, unemployment, etc. Later, unskilled workers also formed similar unions. The unions joined together in national unions which again joined in the organisation known as "Landsorganisationen" (abbreviated "LO" = Federation of Danish Trade Unions). The largest union under the LO is the HK (the Union of Commercial and Clerical Employees). The second-biggest is the SID (the Union of Semi-skilled Workers in Denmark). Third comes the Federation of Public Employees.
In addition to LO there are two other central employee organisations: "FTF", the Federation of Salaried Employees' and Public Servants' Organisations, and "AC", the Central Organisation of Academics. Furthermore, there are two organisations for supervisors and a few independent national associations. The organisations have to a large extent concluded agreements as to which areas of the labour market the individual unions are to cover. Together they form a very stable structure. The organisations together have a membership of 85% of the labour force, covering both the private and the public sector.
On the employers' side the dominating organisation in the private sector is "DA", the Danish employers' Confederation. This is the central organisation for a number of employer organisations in trade, crafts, industry and services. Outside the Danish Employers' Confederation, but closely co-operating with it, is "SALA", the Federation of Employers' Organisations in Agriculture. Furthermore, there are various associations of banks and financial institutions and associations of co-operative undertakings.
The public sector is represented by the Ministry of Finance, which negotiates on behalf of the Government, and by the National Association of Municipal Authorities, the National Association of County Authorities and the Municipality of Copenhagen as well as the Municipality of Frederiksberg.
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