“We manufacture electric toothbrushes here—they’re very high-quality devices. I work in the repair center. On the production line, the toothbrushes are automatically tested for defects. If a defect is detected, I receive the toothbrushes for inspection. I remove the casing, check whether the circuit board is damaged, and verify that all functions are working. If I can identify and fix the defect, the devices go through the automated testing process a second time. Anything I can’t salvage is sent to the Czech Republic to be repaired there. It’s a challenging job, and I enjoy this kind of tinkering. Figuring out the defect—especially when it’s not so easy to find—is what appeals to me.
What have I learned? I was really afraid of that question. It’s a bit of a sore spot for me. I started an apprenticeship as a hotel manager, but then I injured my foot and had to drop out. Well, I was a bit of a daydreamer back then. I then worked piecework at a tailor shop and at a thermometer factory, got married, and had kids before I started here. Back then, there was still what was called the “housewives’ shift,” which ran from 4:40 p.m. to 10 p.m. I thought that was really cool at the time. I was with the kids all day, but when I was here, I could leave my family behind. Over the years, I’ve gained an incredible amount of experience here, and I still need that experience in my job today. It’s really important—you have to be familiar with the equipment, and technology has developed rapidly over the years. That’s why, looking back today, I have to say: Even though I never learned a trade, I still made the best of it.
I’m a member of IG Metall because it’s just part of who I am. My parents came here from Spain in 1960. Back then, under Franco, you couldn’t join a union there. My father then worked in construction here and, of course, was in the union. He told me, “Maria, look, if there’s a union at that company, you have to join it.” So that’s what I did. And I have to say: IG Metall simply does a good job. For me, IG Metall is like a firewall—a protective barrier so that the employer can’t do whatever they want with you.”
