Paul Miles’ leadership kept morale up through last year’s negotiations Throughout the tense eight months of supermarket negotiations in 2011, Paul Miles, a produce manager at Ralphs 181 in Palm Springs, used his leadership and communication skills to maintain discipline and solidarity among his co-workers. “My store’s atmosphere was calm and cool,” Miles said. “A lot of that was due to the constant flow of information between my union rep and me. It helped me relay important information to my co-workers.” Miles acknowledges that many of his co-workers tended to become nervous as the negotiations dragged on, month after month. “We kept our chins up because we were prepared and knew what needed to get done,” he said.

Paul Miles

In the end, Miles is pleased that the picket signs that were distributed by the union were never used. He is also grateful that he is able to maintain his health care and wage benefits.

As a steward, Miles’ strong appreciation of the power of solidarity makes him an effective leader at his store. “Without the union, all of the benefits I have earned over my 21-year career at Ralphs could be gone in an instant,” he said. “The union is strong and something we all need.”

Miles’ determination has its roots in his early career with Ralphs. Within three years of his hiring, he was promoted to assistant produce manager. During the Yucaipa merger of Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Alpha Beta in 1994, Miles temporarily stepped down, but he never lost his sights on becoming a produce manager again. After the 2003-04 strike and lockouts, Miles was promoted to produce manager and hasn’t looked back.

His driven attitude coincides with his love of cars. He owns a 1969 El Camino that he has taken care of for the past 17 years. “My love for speed has unfortunately resulted in a few speeding tickets,” Miles said. “But I wouldn’t trade my car for anything in the world.”