Grateful for help
The nearby village of Zdana, one of the 16 communities in the Hornad microregion, is actively engaged in fulfilling the region's economic and social development
program, which means it is making efforts to ensure improvement in all aspects of its residents' quality of life.
"Our aims are high, and in view of our current resources, achieving them is a process which would be practically impossible to accomplish without the help of our
various partners," observes village council leader Jan Kokarda in a letter sent recently to U. S. Steel Kosice President Christopher Navetta, and continues:
"For this reason we highly appreciate your company's activity in aiding us over the last few months to achieve some specific objectives in our village. This
assistance includes the competition announced and financially supported by your company encouraging elementary school pupils to think about improving the environment, your support for various
cultural and social events, organizing workshops for village councillors and local entrepreneurs aiming to develop their ability to prepare project materials supporting applications for Eurofund
grants, or for example your firm's direct contribution towards the repair and reconstruction of our local road surfaces."
New Year's Eve at USSK
The best part of four hours in the night from December 31st 2004 to January 1st 2005 was spent visiting U. S. Steel Kosice operations by Company President
Christopher Navetta, U. S. Steel Kosice Metalurg union branch chairman Mikulas Dula, Vice-president Operations Scott Pape and Kosice City Mayor Zdenko Trebula.
They visited the Steel Plants, Power Division, Blast Furnaces, Hot and Cold Strip Mills and Finishing Plant, thanking the employees at work on their shift and
through them also their colleagues for their contribution to the Company's excellent results in 2004. The President of U. S. Steel Kosice was highly appreciative of the dedication and outstanding
work displayed by the whole steelmaking team.
The year was positively assessed by the union organization's chairman as well, who particularly emphasized the amounts of wage bonuses achieved. The Mayor of Kosice
praised the very good relations between the steelworks and the city, and said he was sure that this special relationship would continue in the years to come.
New Power Division manager
With effect from January 1st 2005, General Manager Power and Power Media Vladimir Jacko has appointed a new manager for the Power Division, namely Jan Petko. In this post he replaces Ivan Males, who is retiring shortly. Jan Petko has worked at the steelworks since 1996, and most recently he was head of the production support planning department at the Power Division.
Gabriel Holub goes overseas again
In September of last year the manager of the Sales department for Poland Gabriel Holub departed for the United States, thereby extending the line of Kosice managers working in America. With effect from October 1st 2004 he has been working as account manager in the Chicago sales office. He flew back to Kosice to enjoy Christmas at home, but on Monday morning he was already on the plane returning overseas - but this time together with his family.