Juraj Varga certainly does not need to be introduced at U. S. Steel Košice. He is the chairman of the RO OZ KOVO for the second term. Juraj was also awarded the badge of the Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic for work loyalty at the ceremony in Banská Štiavnica. How does the representative of the social partner, GM for Human Resources, Peter Bencko, perceive Juraj ? "I see Juraj as a person who tries to look at things with detachment and realism. What I appreciate about him is that he fairly defends the interests of all employees without distinction. He approaches negotiations responsibly and pragmatically. He shows interest in technological innovations and likes progress. I admire him for his long-term and disciplined approach to sport - he is an endurance athlete in body and soul."

We asked Juraj how a steelworker became a union leader: "In-laws worked in the ironworks.  When my wife and I graduated together, our steps somehow logically headed right here.  My wife worked until the autumn of last year on the purchase of services. The continuation of the family tradition is the son, who works in the security and security department. I started in a steel factory, then military service, then a short, about a year's break, during which I worked elsewhere, and then a return to the ironworks. You probably couldn't expect anything else from a graduate of a metallurgical technical school," says Juraj about his beginnings in ironworks. In addition to his work, he graduated from university, changed several more positions, and the turning point came in 2006, when he decided to run for the chairman of the trade union in DZ Oceliareň.

Why?

I had support, they expressed their trust in me several times in a row in the elections. I wanted to have serious, constructive conversations to improve the conditions of employees – both in terms of wages and work, to better distribute the profit pie.

What are the biggest problems in the work of a union leader?

I have to go back to the times of the pandemic, when a lot of "characters" were shown in the right light and this period left a lot of mark on people.  They have become comfortable, comfortable and have trouble meeting, communicating face to face and solving things at the table.  Many have remained so to this day. Plus, we have social networks and the ability to express opinions without responsibility and preferably anonymously. My skills – it is direct persuasion, direct argumentation, personal meetings and not opinions from behind a computer screen, which makes our trade union work very difficult.

The chairman of the Trade Union Council is always between two millstones. On the one hand, there is the membership base, which has great expectations, on the other there are representatives of the employer...

We have always done and continue to do our work for the benefit of employees and in terms of what the law allows us to do. Since 2019, we have used all legal instruments in collective bargaining. Today, everyone likes to compare themselves with others.  The steel mills in Austria are compared with the steel mill in Košice. It is possible, but you need to compare everything, all levels, not just what you like.  When the business environment is unfavorable for the company, it is also unfavorable for employees. We see it even now, when we are in a recession. Demand for steel is falling, Europe has insufficient protection against steel imports from third countries, we are affected by a very tough policy of the 'green deal', which we believe should be planned for a longer period.

What are you particularly proud of?

I am proud of all the successes we have achieved within our company, in our KOVO trade union and in the international organization IndustriAll. I am proud that we are a respected partner at all levels at home and abroad.

Have you ever felt like "stomping"?

I didn't, because I found the right balance.  I can relax by running 8 km every other day, at any time of the year. I can quickly relieve stress. I've been doing it for 14 years and I also go to various hobby runs, I've completed several half marathons in Košice and that gives me new strength for work. You quickly reset, you move on. I'm an eternal optimist.