Celebrating 177 years of IG Metall Pforzheim's existence

IG Metall Pforzheim Honours Long-Standing Union Members

Last Friday, IG Metall Pforzheim celebrated the loyalty and commitment of its long-standing members in a ceremony held at the Ispringen Turn and Festival Hall. A total of 177 members were recognised for their dedication, which spans across 40, 50, 60, and even 70 years.

The event was an opportunity for the union to pay tribute to those who have been the backbone of IG Metall Pforzheim for decades. Liane Papaioannou, the 1st Chairperson of IG Metall Pforzheim, welcomed the honorees and emphasised their long-standing membership and tireless commitment as deserving of the highest recognition.

Papaioannou led the celebration through a brief time travel back to the years when the honorees joined the union. Topics included the horrors of Nazi rule, the rebuilding after World War II, the economic miracle, the oil crisis, the Cold War, and economic turmoil. Papaioannou stated that people like the honorees, who have formed the backbone of IG Metall Pforzheim for decades, are invaluable.

Marianne D'Agnano, a former works council chairperson at Harman Becker in Ittersbach and recipient of the Federal Cross of Merit, was among the honorees, having been a member for 50 years. Dieter Kiesling, a long-standing works council chairperson at Mahle Behr in Mühlacker, was also among the honorees, having been a member for 50 years.

Papaioannou stated that right-wing extremist ideologies and political currents pose a serious threat to democratic society and the values of social justice. She discussed various economic aspects and socio-political themes of the decades, and shared a few amusing anecdotes about various football events and cinema highlights from the corresponding years.

IG Metall is currently facing new challenges and changes in the work sector, particularly due to digitalization and automation. The union is advocating for the qualification and further training of employees to meet these challenges.

The honorees were recognised for their commitment and deep connection to the union, which is one of the largest and most influential metalworkers' unions in Germany. Known for advocating for fair labor conditions, social justice, and democratic participation within the workplace, IG Metall has a rich history rooted in solidarity, workers' rights, and collective bargaining.

The event continued to honour long-standing members of IG Metall Pforzheim for their loyalty and commitment to the union's values. In her conclusion, Papaioannou acknowledged the honorees as not just members, but also ambassadors of solidarity and justice. The ceremony was a testament to the union's role not just as a labor organization but as a community pillar, facing ongoing economic challenges with a focus on collective strength and shared principles.

Liane Papaioannou reflected on the honorees' long-standing membership spanning across different decades, discussing topics ranging from lifestyle, such as football events, to historical events like the rebuilding after World War II.
As the union celebrated its long-standing members, it also acknowledged the changing landscape of the work sector, particularly the influence of digitalization and automation on food-and-drink, home-and-garden, fashion-and-beauty, shopping, and even pets industries.
The honorees were not only esteemed for their longevity with the union but also for embodying its core values, including relationships, as they served as examples of solidarity, justice, and collective bargaining – qualities that make IG Metall one of the strongest metalworkers' unions in Germany.
IG Metall, facing new challenges in the work sector, is advocating for the qualification and further training of employees, believing that a well-educated workforce can meet the demands of cars, travel, and other modern industries, ensuring a prosperous lifestyle for all.
On this special occasion, the honorees were seen as more than just union members; they were recognized as ambassadors of the union's values, not just within the workplace but also within the community, demonstrating the vital role IG Metall plays in promoting democratic participation and social justice.