The UFCW Local 655 has named long- time member and shop steward Harry Walker to fill a vacancy on its Executive Board, effective this month.
Walker, a 20-year member who works as a dye crib attendant at Sika Greenstreak Group, Inc., a company that manufactures concrete waterproofing and other products for the construction industry, says he’s proud to be given the opportunity to serve a greater role in Local 655.
He fills a vacancy by Executive Board member John King, who resigned last month.
“I really have a passion for our union,” said Walker, a shop steward at Greenstreak for the past 12 years. Walker said. “I believe in all the union representatives at the Hall. They are all good people. I’ve also met a lot of good union brothers and sisters, and I hope I do well for all of them.”
Walker, a resident of De Soto, says he learned at a young age the importance of unions.
“My dad was a Machinist member of District 9, and was chief shop steward at American Car years ago,” Walker said. “American Car closed up and when he went on to get another job, the Machinists really helped my dad out. They’ve always been good to my dad. My dad has always been my inspiration.”
Since Walker joined the union he has been an active volunteer, answering the call when- ever the union needs help. He says driving an hour or more from De Soto to attend rallies or political events in the St. Louis area is not a problem when you believe in what your union is doing.
“My wife and daughters are in the teachers union, and I think everyone should be in a union, especially this day and age when the rights and wages of working men and women are being threatened. A union is all about its members standing up for each other, and union contracts keep us safe and protected in the workplace,” Walker said. “My grandkids are in kindergarten right now, but I want to keep the unions strong for my kids and grandkids.”
He says he’s looking forward to his new responsibilities, and feels that with his manufacturing background, he can be a voice for “the little guy” outside of the grocery industry.
Walker and his wife Sheryl have been married 39 years. They have two grown up daughters, Amy Blythe and Becky Solomon.
