Denise and Larry Weiter wife – husband steward team. Denise is Chief Steward at L-753. She has served as Steward for 23 of her 32 years with Kroger and has been the Recording Secretary and Executive Board member of Local 227 since 1993. Denise said, “It is an honor to be part of our steward network. Many other unions model their programs after Local 227’s.” Larry is currently the Chief Steward at L-385 and has been for 13 years. He was also a member of the Local 227 Bargaining Committee in the 2008 negotiations. “I learned at an early point in my career that belonging to Local 227 was important to me at Kroger,” he said. “I enjoy being a Steward and helping empower my fellow employees.”

Betty and Miranda mother – daughter Steward tandem. Betty has been a Local 227 member for 32 years. She served as a Steward for one year and as a Chief Steward for nine years. Her most recent position was Pricing Coordinator at L-728. She is currently on leave working as a Special Project Union Representative (SPUR) in the organizing department. “I have always liked helping people,” she said. “Being a part of Local 227 has been a good experience for me. I’m proud to belong to the UFCW.” Betty has passed along her union activism to daughter Miranda, the Chief Steward at Kroger L-400. Miranda is a Back Up Pricing Coordinator and has been a Steward for three years. “ I also enjoy helping people,” she said. “I inherited this from my mom!”

Mike and Linda Keeton husband - wife team collectively have 46 years employment with Kroger. Linda works at L-348 and has been an Assistant Chief Steward for ten years. She is a past member of the Kroger Bargaining Committee, the Retail Advisory Board and currently participates in the Retail Council. “Local 227 has given me the knowledge to take on any situation,” she said. Mike also works at L-348 and has served as Chief Steward for 14 years. He has also served as a member of the Retail Advisory Board, the Civil Rights Committee, the Retail Council and has come out on Union leave working as a SPUR. “Being a Steward gives me a deep sense of pride, I’m making a difference for the members and for a Union that makes you feel like you are part of the big picture.” Daughter Amanda also has a Local 227 connection as she is one of five 2009 Dettlinger Scholarship winners.