“We build airplanes. Here in Hall 8, we fit out the Airbus 320 and 321. The fuselage arrives here in the hall empty, and then everything is installed: the electrical systems, the mechanical systems, the hydraulics, the floor panels, the windows, and the paneling. That takes about six to seven days, and then the fuselage moves on to the next hall. I’m a painter; I trained as an automotive painter. For example, I apply putty to antennas and cargo doors. The putty protects against moisture and evens out the surface. The mounts and fittings in the floor, the cargo compartment, and the landing gear bay—where cables, lines, and equipment are secured—must also be protected with paint. Afterward, the mounts and fittings are preserved with a type of cavity sealant. The sealant must not exceed a certain thickness; otherwise, cracks could form and cause leaks.
We work here in semi-autonomous groups. That means we organize ourselves as a group of nine painters. Each group elects a spokesperson. I have been the spokesperson for our group since 2013. We schedule our own work and order our own paint and materials. As a group, we’re committed to meeting deadlines; as spokesperson, I’m also responsible for vacation scheduling. We have a lot of freedom, but ultimately we’re also responsible for ensuring the work gets done.
Many people lump the union and the works council together. I, too, had to learn that there’s a difference. The union negotiates collective bargaining agreements—in other words, it represents the employees—while the works council acts as a bridge between the employees and the company and sometimes has to make difficult decisions. There have been conflicts here before, and the people in my department didn’t feel well represented by the works council. That’s when I became a union representative for IG Metall. I’m currently at a stage where I want to know: What’s going on in the union? My free time is important to me. But so is the union.”
