“My whole family works at UKRGRAFIT”

Crane Operator, workshop №4

How long have you been working at UKRGRAFIT?

I joined the plant in 1987, right after finishing college. I started working as a crane operator in machining shop No. 5. Two years later, I transferred to the graphitization shop. The work schedule here was more convenient for me. So, for over 32 years, I have been working in the graphitization shop.

That’s quite an impressive number of years. Have you ever considered switching to another company during all this time?

No, it never crossed my mind. I have always enjoyed working at UKRGRAFIT. First and foremost, I appreciate the salary. Why would I go elsewhere? Even during the challenging 1990s, I never felt the need to change jobs. Our team is fantastic. We have known each other for a long time, we’re friends, we communicate, and we help each other out when needed. We don’t engage in conflicts or gossip behind each other’s backs. The atmosphere is pleasant and the supervisors are respectful. During breaks, we can joke and laugh.

How do you usually feel when going to work? Do you look forward to it?

Absolutely! Even when I’m on vacation, I still miss the factory and want to be there. It’s challenging to spend more than two weeks without my beloved work. If I didn’t want to be here, I would have left a long time ago, as I am already eligible for retirement. Even my husband works here as a loader-unloader for the graphitization furnaces. He recently received an award from the plant for his many years of impeccable work. My daughter followed in my footsteps and works as a crane operator in shop No. 3.

Could you tell us a bit about the work of a crane operator? It seems like a demanding job.

It’s not simple, especially in the beginning. However, with time, a person can handle any task. After spending 35 years operating cranes, I have become adept at it. All the skills become automatic, and the mechanism feels like an extension of your own body. Over the years, I have mastered all types of cranes available at our plant, including crane-beam and grab cranes.

When your shift is over, what do you usually do after work, on weekends, and on holidays?

I spend time with my grandson, and we also enjoy traveling to fascinating places. We explore various parts of the country, appreciating its beauty. Even during COVID quarantine, we try to go somewhere, even if it’s just to Khortitsa. Most of my time is devoted to my family. At this age, I’m not much into dancing anymore (laughs).