Sabrina, you've been part of the IG Metall Berlin digital team since May. What interests you about the project?

How does workers participation function in the digital world? How can we produce political self-effectiveness and solidarity, even though the processes of work and production are taking place within the digital world? Those are challenging and exciting questions for me. Both corporate and union work undertook mayor changes under the influence of messenger services, social media, and other digital tools. Therefore, we need new ideas and frameworks to effectively support our project. At the same time digital organizing works according to well-known principles: we need to create a community of liability, supportive relationships, and a hands-on mentality. The means by which to achieve this can be both digital and physical. A combination of both is the most promising, I think. Developing this further is already bringing me a lot of joy!

Can you tell us something about yourself?

I was born in Manila in the Philippines and grew up in a small town in Brandenburg in the 2000s. That was quite a culture shock. However, I am able to empathize with different life situations and possess cultural sensitivity, which often helps me in my work. Like many others of my generation, I spent a lot of my youth online. But that doesn’t mean we turned out bad! For me, the internet was a gateway to a political world and networking.

As part of my master’s in social science, I researched the societal transformation of East Germany. That was an exciting time, as I gained a deeper understanding of how the dismantling of industry destroyed entire life realities, even in my hometown. This politicized me massively. Since I was 18, I have been politically active, including with Ver.di. I learned early on how to mobilize people. In 2023, I spent a few months in the US. There, I met people from the UAW and have since been fascinated by how successfully US unions engage young people. For the past 6 months I have worked with IG Metall as an Organizer in the renewable energy sector, specifically within a battery production in Thuringia, a federal state in the middle of Germany.

How did you come to IG Metall?

I’ve always thought IG Metall was cool. I find it very important that we unite people who are blue collar and white collar. IG Metall is a huge player in industrial policy too. In my eyes, IG Metall is also a migrant organization, which personally resonated with me.

What is your focus in the Digital Team?

For me, close cooperation with the employees is the most important. I enjoy working closely with our works councils, shop stewards and active members. I also enjoy relationship-building and seeing how people start to get involved and feel empowered if we work together. Currently, I’m also organizing events. On July 9, we’re hosting a networking meeting for tech workers who are organized in IG Metall.

Can you tell us about your first impressions?

It is of great enjoyment to connect with people from all around the world, to speak English and to further deepen international solidarity within the IG Metall. I also really enjoy creating collective spaces where employees can meet, especially in workplaces where the workforce is very individualized. It is quite cool to experience new spaces of solidarity emerging and flourishing.

 I’ve been very well received in the digital team. At this point, I would also like to thank Thomas Weber, Daniel Gamer, and Sören Lieske for their years of intensive groundwork at IG Metall Berlin. They have laid a strong foundation for us.

What lifts you up? Where and how do you recharge?

Activities that enable me to recharge are mostly silent ones, like swimming or enjoying the Tempelhofer Feld. My main hobby is Mixed Martial Arts – a mixture of grappling and Kickboxing/Muy Thay. I also love going to concerts and enjoy many genres: from pop to punk. An exception is metal—it’s just never quite resonated with me, even if that might disappoint some IG Metall colleagues.