Eugen Loderer

Born in Heidenheim an der Brenz, Loderer undertook an apprenticeship as a metal cloth maker, but was called up to serve in the navy before he could complete this.

He joined the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and gradually rose to more prominent positions in the union.

[1] IG Metall was affiliated to the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), and in 1963, Loderer was elected as the federation's Baden-Württemberg district secretary.

He was the union's lead on public relations, human resources, organisation, and administration.

While Loderer initially campaigned on issues such as banning lockouts, and expanding the role of workers in company management, the economic crisis led him to a more defensive position, and a focus on collective bargaining.