My name is Paul Swanson, I have been a member of our union since 1989. I started my career at Rainbow Foods as a part time stocker in the grocery department growing my career into a position as a Center Store Manager with Lunds and Byerlys. In my over 30 years working in the grocery industry I have seen a great deal of change in our industry. New competition coming into our market, and some unfortunately leaving.
As the changes to our industry seemed to accelerate I wanted to become more informed about our union and my future as a member. I started to attend the monthly union meetings and to have conversations with our unions reps as the visited the stores. I was later asked if I would be interested in becoming a steward. I felt that after 20 plus years as a union member it was time for me stop being a passive member of our union and to become more involved to help strengthen our union.
In the time that followed I have volunteered and served on multiply contract negotiation committees, on spur projects, card signing campaigns, phone banks an other activities to help make our union stronger.
When I am not working I love spending time outdoors with my wife, three children and also sneaking away for an occasional round of golf.