Josef Středula (born 12 November 1967) is a Czech trade union activist. He became the chairman of the KOVO trade union in 2005.[1] He left the office in 2014 to become the chairman of the Bohemian-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions.[2]

Josef Středula
Chairman of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions
In office
25 April 2014 – 4 March 2024
Preceded byJaroslav Zavadil
Succeeded byHimself
Assumed office
25 March 2024
Preceded byHimself
Personal details
Born (1967-11-12) 12 November 1967 (age 57)
Opava, Czechoslovakia
(now Czech Republic)

Early life and career

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Středula was born in Opava in 1967. He studied at Technical High School and then worked at Vítkovice Ironworks. He has been a trade unionist since 1993. Středula affiliated himself with the KOVO Trade Union, and was elected chairman of the union in 2005.[3] He left the office when he was elected chairman of the Bohemian-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS). He was reelected in 2018.[4][5]

2023 Presidential candidacy

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He was asked about his possible presidential candidacy by A2larm magazine. He said it was possible he could run in the next Czech presidential election if he had the support of trade unions.[6] His statement was positively received by trade unionists. Some politicians from the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) and Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia, including Jan Hamáček and Jiří Dolejš, suggested possible support for Středula.[7]

On 1 May 2022, the ČSSD youth organization, the Young Social Democrats, began collecting signatures for his candidacy. Four days later, he accepted the candidacy and announced it on his Twitter account, reiterating that he wanted to be a civic candidate.[8] ČSSD has endorsed his candidacy.[9]

Josef Středula was criticized by Czech journalist Lukáš Valenta over his use of a trade union demonstration as part of his campaign.[1] Valenta also criticized Středula for his description of Ukraine as "the most corrupt country in the world".[2] On 8 January 2023, Středula withdrew from the election and endorsed Danuše Nerudová.[10]

Later career

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On 4 March 2024, Středula was dismissed as chairman of ČMKOS due to unpaid union membership fees.[11] On 25 March 2024, Středula was reelected unopposed as chairman of ČMKOS, he received 64 votes of 112.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Do čela Odborového svazu Kovo byl zvolen Josef Středula". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). 24 June 2005. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Odbory vede Středula. Umím být hodně tvrdý, poslal hned vzkaz vládě". iDNES.cz. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. ^ Kreč, Luboš (7 July 2017). "Bojím se, co po volbách udělá Babiš. Do politiky se ale zatím nechystám, říká šéf odborářů Středula". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Odboráři zvolili staronové vedení. Středula obhájil post předsedy". Nova.cz (in Czech). 27 April 2018. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  5. ^ "ČMKOS povede dál Středula, funkce obhájili i místopředsedové". Blesk. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Prezidentskou kandidaturu nevylučuji". A2larm (in Czech). Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  7. ^ "Z odborů na Hrad. Středula ohlásil svůj zájem vystřídat Zemana". Parlamentní Listy. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  8. ^ @JStredula (5 May 2022). "Lidé začali spontánně sbírat podpisy na podporu mé kandidatury v nadcházející #prezidentskavolba.Velmi si toho váží…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Martinek, Jan. "Koalice Spolu boj o Hrad vzdala". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Středula odstoupil z prezidentské volby. Podpoří Nerudovou". iDNES.cz (in Czech). 8 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  11. ^ Fodor, Anna (4 March 2024). "Trade union head dismissed for not paying dues". Czech Radio. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Středula už je zase v čele odborů". Aktuálně.cz (in Czech). Czech News Agency. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.