2011 Steward of the 3rd Quarter

 

‘No loafing in the bread isle’

O’Brien finds retail food industry career rewarding

 

Steward of the Quarter Sandra O’Brien, a General Merchandise Clerk at Stater Bros. 140 in Escondido, likes her job because “it keeps me out of trouble.”  In more than three decades of work experience, she has cut meat, driven trucks and worked in a fabric yardage store. But her career in the retail food industry has been the most rewarding, and the most enjoyable.

 

“One of my jokes at the store is ‘no loafing in the bread isle.’ Even the managers are saying it to me now,” O’Brien said.

 

A 20-year veteran of the UFCW, she has seen the industry change a great deal over the years. “It’s changed because of what we gain and lose over the years,” O’Brien said.  “Our jobs used to be easier. Now, there are fewer people working who have to do the same amount of work or more. We just have to keep going and keep what we’ve fought for so we don’t have to worry about life later on.”

 

True believer

 

O’Brien became a steward eight years ago because she’s a strong believer in union solidarity.  “As a steward, I go to as many rallies and meetings as I can so I can do my part and spread the word in the stores,” she said. “Just recently, I worked on the Our Walmart campaign to protect our market share.  “The hardest part is people in my store not believing what I tell them,” she continued. “They’ll say, ‘Well, how do we know it’s not just you saying these things?’ And I’ll tell them, ‘Then come to the meetings and hear it for yourself. I’ll drive you!’”

 

O’Brien has seen her share of hardship in her life. “I had three kids, but one died about 13 years ago,” she said. “And this June, my best buddy, my dad, passed away.”  But hardship has not kept her from living a full life. “I’ve got two kids and three grandkids who keep me busy and my ‘significant other,’ Ed, who I’ve been with for 18 years now,” she said.

 

When she isn’t at work, O’Brien enjoys fishing and traveling.  “I love ocean fishing when I can,” she said. “My best catch was a 15 lb. dorado, but he was just a baby.”  Though O’Brien has been on cruises to Alaska and Hawaii, she wants to see Washington, D.C., next.

 

“Another one of my goals is to get to the Daytona 500,” she said. “I’m a big NASCAR fan — Denny Hamlin is my favorite driver. “For my 50th birthday, I got to do eight laps of the Las Vegas Speedway at the Richard Petty Experience,” she continued. “I hit 127 mph driving a race car.”