Torsten Gutsmann: New DGB boss in Peine - a fresh wind blows!

Torsten Gutsmann: New DGB boss in Peine - a fresh wind blows!

Peine, Deutschland - On June 18, 2025, the constitution of the new DGB district board in the Schützenhaus Peine caused a fresh wind. Torsten Gutsmann, previously a member of IG Metall, was unanimously elected as the new chairman of the DGB district association Peine. He takes over the reins of Frank Raabe-Lindemann, who was in office for 21 years.

Gutsmann's team is made up of two deputies: Thomas Kalberlah from IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie and Jan Laging from IG Metall, supported by secretary Jennifer Wegner from IG Bauen, Agrar, Environment. With over 18,300 trade union members, which the DGB district association represents in the Peine district

vision for the DGB in Peine

"We want to make the DGB more visible here in Peine," explains the 57-year-old, who, as a married family of family of three sons, also shows interest in social topics. At the same time, he wants more works councils to be established in the company; Currently there are only 38 percent of companies in the Peine works council district. "We want to encourage everyone who is interested in a works council position, to contact us or the individual unions," continued Gutsmann.

The visibility of the DGB unions and the cooperation with social partners are of great importance for him. In this context, the participation in actions such as the "Festival of Cultures", which took place on June 3 on the historic market square, is particularly valuable. More than 20 organizations were involved and the DGB was an active participant.

events and promotions in the focus

Gutsmann attaches great importance to the DGB activities that take place in the Peine district. Among other things, he plans rallies on May 1st, which are traditionally combined with a family party on the market square. DGB election forums on current state parliament and federal elections as well as Santa Claus campaigns on the subject of #tarifende are also part of his program. The DGB also works on commuter actions that deal with the minimum wage and the European elections.

The striving for better working conditions is Gutsmann's greatest concern. He is aware that numerous challenges are waiting for him, including improving working conditions among Peiner wearers. But that's exactly what he wants to work and achieve the best for the members of the DGB together with his new team.

The advocacy of unions is of fundamental importance, and the right to form unions is firmly anchored in the Basic Law. The work of the DGB comprises a variety of areas, from collective bargaining to the support of its members in the event of problems with employers. All of this is done under the roof of the largest trade union organization in Germany, which counted around 5.6 million members in 2024, as Statista.

Overall, Gutsmann sets signs for a new era at the DGB with his fresh perspective. It remains to be seen which impulses he and his team will set and how the pressure on employers will develop in the coming years. “