Susanne "Susi" Neumann (29 May 1959 – 13 January 2019) was a German author, chairwoman of a labour union, and cleaner. She gained public recognition after an appearance on the German talk-show Anne Will.
Neumann is known for her direct speech, criticism of fixed-term employment contracts and advocacy for social justice.[1][2][3][4][5] She is furthermore known for her talk with German vice chancellor Sigmar Gabriel about the crumbling middle class.[6]
She wrote a book about her concerns and experiences, which was published in 2016.[7] In 2018, Neumann supported the Aufstehen movement.[8][9]
Life
[edit]Neumann was born in Gelsenkirchen and came from a civil servant family. She graduated with the Mittlere Reife school-leaving certificate and started an apprenticeship as home decorator. She abandoned this apprenticeship when she became pregnant and worked as a cleaner in Gelsenkirchen from 1981.[4]
She was a trade unionist and joined the Building and Construction Union and became a union official on regional and federal commissions.[10]
Publications
[edit]In her book Frau Neumann haut auf den Putz – Warum wir ein Leben lang arbeiten und trotzdem verarmen (Ms. Neumann hits the nail on the head – why we work for a lifetime and still become impoverished) published in 2017, she and co-author Andreas Hock outline social conditions in Germany, how its welfare state has degenerated and why people have multiple jobs but still do not earn enough money. Neumann also writes about her own experiences.
References
[edit]- ^ "Die Gäste im Studio". Das Erste (in German). Retrieved 2017-02-04.
- ^ "Susanne Neumann | Autorin" (in German). Bastei Lübbe. Retrieved 2017-02-04.
- ^ "Susanne Neumann spricht über ihren Mann: 'Zigarettenholer und Essenmacher'". Rheinische Post (in German). Retrieved 2017-02-04.
- ^ a b Erk, Daniel (2016-05-19). "Susanne Neumann: Eine reinigende Kraft für die SPD". Die Zeit (in German). Retrieved 2023-09-29.
- ^ Thenhaus, Andreas (2016-11-16). "Rettet Susi die SPD? – Wie eine Putzfrau die Politik verändern will" (in German). ARD. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
- ^ Thorsten Denkler (9 May 2016). "SPD: Putzfrau bringt Gabriel in Bedrängnis". Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-09-29.
- ^ "Publisher's page for Frau Neumann haut auf den Putz" (in German). Bastei Lübbe. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
- ^ Susi Neumann: »Kräfte bündeln, damit Druck entsteht« on YouTube (in German, 6:05 minutes)
- ^ Oliver Klasen (15 January 2019). "Susi und die 'Schwatten'". Süddeutsche Zeitung (obituary) (in German). Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Die IG BAU trauert um Susanne Neumann" (in German). IG Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2023.