Award-winning quality
On Monday, November 8th 2010, the ceremonial handing over of the 2010 Slovak Republic National Quality Awards took place in the historical building of the National Parliament of the Slovak Republic in Bratislava. U. S. Steel Kosice took first place in the category of big organizations with more than 251 employees. The President of the company George F. Babcoke, on receiving the award, said: "This kind of recognition is very important to us. It shows our customers that our company continues to drive continuous improvement in our quality practices and the discipline of our quality management system." The steelmaking company was also awarded this prize in 2002. This year's recognition of the high standard of the quality management system is good news and acknowledgement for the employees of the company, which is now celebrating the ten-year anniversary of starting business in Slovakia.
Appreciation for long-serving employees
This year the best part of 520 employees of U. S. Steel Kosice and its subsidiary companies can celebrate significant anniversaries at work - 30, 35 and 40 years of employment at the steelworks. This month members of the company management will be meeting these long-serving employees at three gala evenings, to thank them for their many years of work for the benefit of the firm. The first meeting with celebrators from the Cokery, Blast Furnaces, Steel Plants, Coated Products and Tin Mill and Shipping divisions took place last Friday, November 5th, in the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel. The importance of the evening was emphasized by the presence of U. S. Steel Kosice President George F. Babcoke and OZ KOVO U. S. Steel Kosice Trade Union Congress Chairman Mikulas Hintos. In their speeches both of them expressed their appreciation for the excellent work done for the company by its long-term employees. The evening also featured the presentation of awards - silver and gold commemorative medals and letters of thanks. The employees with 40 years of service also took home wristwatches as gifts from the company.
Blast furnaces CCIP Team - second best in 2010
The costs-saving team at the Blast Furnaces division is the second-best team in 2010 at U. S. Steel Kosice. In the first nine months of this year they contributed with a share of 17 per cent to the company's total recorded costs savings. Blast Furnaces employees submitted eight projects, five of which focus on energy-saving. The key project in terms of recorded savings involves fuel economy in running the blast furnaces.
Serbian trade unionists in Kosice
From October 25th to 27th Kosice saw the historic first discussions between two important trade union organizations active in U. S. Steel Europe - OZ KOVO (U. S. Steel Kosice) and the Independent Metallurgy Unions (U. S. Steel Serbia). Both sides declared their interest in cooperating on resolving issues which are important for union members and employees in both companies. They prepared a draft agreement on cooperation, which they then submitted to their union authorities for commenting. The guests toured some of the operations at USSK and met Vice President Human Resources Martin Pitorak and GM Motivation and Union Relations Adriana Mihalova.
Steelmakers celebrate U. S. Steel Kosice's 10th anniversary
On Saturday, November 13th, 2010 steelmakers will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of U. S. Steel Kosice with a great entertainment show in the Steel Arena. More than five thousand visitors will be treated to a two-hour program of culture and sports including a prize draw. One of the company's employees can win a new automobile.
