District of Dortmund-Hellweg's new leader: Bärbel Sumagang replaces Jutta Reiter
Barbel Sumagang, a seasoned trade union leader with a strong background in labor relations and social policy, has been appointed as the new CEO of the DGB Region Dortmund-Hellweg. This significant industrial and labor area in Germany is home to a diverse range of industries, making Sumagang's role crucial in representing the interests of workers across sectors.
Sumagang's career in labor advocacy began early, with her engaging in worker advocacy roles after her studies in political science. Over the years, she has held progressive roles of increasing responsibility within labor organizations, including positions as an organizer, representative, coordinator, and officer handling campaigns, collective bargaining, and negotiations. Her reputation for strong advocacy in areas such as workplace safety, fair wages, social justice, and workers' participation in decision-making has been well-established.
In her new role, Sumagang will lead the regional umbrella organization coordinating various trade unions, engage with employers, political stakeholders, and social partners to influence labor policies, oversee regional campaigns, collective negotiations, and initiatives for worker welfare, and promote social dialogue and sustainable economic development within the region.
Sumagang's focus on education is evident in her belief that it is not just an individual stepping stone but an effective shield for society. She emphasizes the importance of early childhood promotion, language skills, and intercultural experiences. She sees education as a central theme and a social task.
The digital age has brought about significant changes in the world of work, and Sumagang is well-aware of these shifts. She believes that the traditional company structure with a fixed location, a fixed workforce, and a clear works council is no longer common due to digitalization and mobile work. Sumagang advocates for a model that would help women escape part-time traps and distribute care work more fairly, allowing everyone more time for volunteering and social engagement. She proposes reduced full-time work (e.g., 30 hours per week) to become the standard for both men and women, believing it would promote gender equality and strengthen social cohesion.
The Dortmund-Hellweg region faces challenges, with industrial jobs at risk and massive changes in the job market, including job cuts, deindustrialization, international competition, and AI-driven rationalization. According to Ulrike Hölt of IG Metall, over 2,000 jobs are at risk in the coming months, and more cuts are expected. Sumagang warns of issues similar to those of the 1970s arising but under completely different conditions by 2025.
Despite these challenges, Sumagang sees the DGB as a societal actor and networker, advocating for the creation of new platforms and alliances, especially in times of societal polarization. She aims to build on the strong network established by Jutta Reiter, the previous CEO, and meet people with their issues in the city society.
Sumagang's personal journey is as inspiring as her professional one. Raised in a working-class family with roots in East Prussia, she witnessed profound changes in the world of work firsthand. Her parents came to the Unna-Massen camp after World War II and had a refugee background. After graduating in 1991, Sumagang first trained as a carpenter and worked at the Theater Dortmund before embarking on her career in labor advocacy.
Klaus Waschulewski, DGB organizational secretary, highlights projects like the Network Pension, the Alliance 'Arm in Arm', and educational series with Attac, which bring people together and lead to discussions that sometimes go beyond the usual framework. These initiatives reflect Sumagang's commitment to fostering dialogue and promoting social cohesion.
Sumagang's leadership role positions her as a key figure in shaping labor strategy and representing worker concerns in a vital German industrial region. Her vision, experience, and clear content priorities make her an ideal choice to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the modern labor landscape in Dortmund-Hellweg.
- Barbel Sumagang, in her new role as CEO of the DGB Region Dortmund-Hellweg, will not only focus on career development and personal growth for workers but also prioritize education-and-self-development, promoting early childhood promotion and language skills for social cohesion.
- In addition to her responsibilities in politics and labor policy, Sumagang intends to use her position to foster dialogue and build alliances, addressing issues such as general-news topics like societal polarization and creating new platforms for other education-and-self-development initiatives.
- With the digital age bringing changes to the workforce, Sumagang advocates for a model that ensures fair distribution of care work, supports the career-development of women, and ultimately, promotes personal-growth and general-news issues like gender equality.
