Torsten Gutsmann: New DGB boss in Peine - a breath of fresh air is blowing!

Torsten Gutsmann: New DGB boss in Peine - a breath of fresh air is blowing!

On June 18, 2025, the constitution of the new DGB district executive committee in the Schützenhaus Peine brought a breath of fresh air. Torsten Gutsmann, previously a member of IG Metall, was unanimously elected as the new chairman of the DGB district association in Peine. He is taking over the reins from Frank Raabe-Lindemann, who was in office for a whopping 21 years.

Gutsmann's team is made up of two deputies: Thomas Kalberlah from IG Mining, Chemistry, Energy and Jan Laging from IG Metall, supported by secretary Jennifer Wegner from IG Construction, Agriculture, Environment. With over 18,300 union members represented by the DGB district association in the Peine district, Gutsmann is faced with a great responsibility.

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 father of three sons, also shows an interest in social issues. At the same time, he wants more works councils to be established in companies; Currently there are works councils in only 38 percent of the companies in the Peine 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 cooperation with social partners are of great importance to him. In this context, participation in activities such as the “Festival of Cultures”, which took place on June 3rd on the historic market square, is particularly valuable. More than 20 organizations were involved and the DGB was an active participant.

Events and activities in focus

Gutsmann attaches great importance to the DGB activities that take place in the Peine district. Among other things, he is planning rallies on May 1st, which are traditionally combined with a family celebration on the market square. DGB election forums on current state and federal elections as well as St. Nicholas campaigns on the topic of #tariff change are also part of his program. The DGB is also working on commuter campaigns that deal with the minimum wage and the European elections.

The pursuit of better working conditions is Gutsmann's greatest concern. He is aware that numerous challenges await him, including improving the working conditions of the Pein porters. But that's exactly what he wants to work on and, together with his new team, achieve the best for the members of the DGB.

Trade union representation is fundamental and the right to form trade unions is firmly anchored in the constitution. The DGB's work covers a variety of areas, from collective bargaining to supporting its members with problems with employers. All of this happens under the umbrella of the largest trade union organization in Germany, which had around 5.6 million members in 2024, as Statista reports.

Overall, Gutsmann's fresh perspective sets the tone for a new era at the DGB in Peine. It remains to be seen what impulses he and his team will provide and how the pressure on employers will develop in the coming years. “