 September 2020
Hello brothers and sisters, my name is Heather Schroeder and I want to extend my gratitude for being elected Financial Secretary for Local 602. For my first article in the Lansing Labor News I would like to provide a brief introduction. I grew up in Holt Michigan the second oldest of five children. Being the daughter of two union members, (my father was a 602 member, my mother is a 652 retiree).
Getting started in the UAW
Prior to becoming a Union member I was working two full time jobs, Okemos Meijer and the accounting firm Plane and Moran of East Lansing. Trying to pay my own way through college, in the spring of 1995 my mother offered me a referral to General Motors. She explained, just one of the benefits of a good Union job is the Tuition Assistance program. I became a UAW member myself March of 1995, hiring into the old fisher body plant on Verlinden Avenue. I was bumped my very first day on the job! Working in the body shop was a whole new experience for a 19 year old office gal. I fondly remember the advice I was give my first few days on the job. “Kid keep your head down do your job stay out of trouble, and don’t fall out of the nest. Maybe you’ll last.” My coworkers welcomed me, looked out for me and helped raise me to the lady I am today.
In 2006 I became a local 602 community service member. This committee will always be a part of my character. Reaching out to help others is near and dear to my heart. I have worked for General Motors for 25 years. I now have two college degrees, an Associate’s degree with Lansing Community College focusing on mathematics and science, and a Bachelors Degree from Baker College in Business Management with an accounting focus. Basically I know how to stretch a penny and make a dollar work for you!
· In 2010 I was elected delegate to the 35th Constitutional Convention,
· September 2010 I was appointed community service chair to fill the remainder of the term
· 2011 Elected community service chair
· 2014 elected trustee chair
· 2017 elected trustee chair
· 2018 elected delegate to the 37th constitutional convention
· 2019 Aug. acting Financial Secretary to fill the position during the 2019 National Strike.
· January 2020 Elected Financial Secretary.
· My most important role is that of mother to two young boys, Garrett 9 and Hayden 8.
Personally
I have ran my own personal farm business for 20 plus years. I have raised and shown: Boer goats, chickens, call ducks, donkeys, Alaskan Malamutes and French bulldogs. I have been the active in many clubs and organizations. Assistant Superintendent for the Michigan State Fair, President of the Michigan Boer Goat Association, active 4H leader in Ingham County and Livestock Judge throughout the state of Michigan. I even made the cover of Michigan Farmer in 2009! My most important role is that of mother to two young boys, Garrett 9 and Hayden 8. I had quite the struggle to become a mom and that experience has made me even more grateful for these two young men. Garrett is an amazing athlete, who excels at every sport. He has a heart of gold, we adopted him in the summer of 2011 from Moscow, Russia. Hayden is a brainiac. He is compassionate and sweet. A science kid with a competitive sprite for showing animals. I had Hayden in the fall of 2011.
I look forward to serving our local and membership for many years. Thank you once again for your support, love and trust. I will continue to serve this membership with the best interests of the local and its membership at the forefront of every decision and action of this office.
In Solidarity
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