Commissioner Shelia Smoot's Union History

Commissioner Shelia Smoot, like her Union friends, has a long history of fighting for workers and workers rights.

Shelia was born into a Union family and was raised with Union values. She saw first hand the benefits and hard work of Union leaders growing up in Flint, Michigan. The UAW was long a symbol of hard work and strength in those parts. She also witnessed her first cousin Louise White work herself through the ranks to become a Union Steward in the Communication Workers of America in Birmingham, Alabama. Shelia Smoot has never forgotten her roots.

In 1990 when she was working as a reporter at WILX TV 10 in Lansing, Michigan she saw the need to begin organizing the local auto workers. Her efforts ultimately paid off for the workers of that community but not without a steep personal price. She lost her job that year due to her efforts but she was undeterred. Her union roots would never leave her.

When she moved back to Alabama and continued her work as an investigative reporter Shelia worked tirelessly to support local workers. It was in part her work with the Union leadership that inspired her to run for public office.

As County Commissioner, Shelia Smoot has worked with countless local unions including the UFCW Local 1657 during the Bruno and Food World store transitions and the USWA when area steel production slowed. In fact, Shelia returned donations from the AFL-CIO to be donated to the strike pay fund.

No candidate in the race has the proven track record of Union support that Commissioner Shelia Smoot has. Shelia has always stood by the “backbone of America,” its workers!