Retirement plans usually involve pensions and 401(K)s. Kim Ramirez’s plans also involve cake.

“I decorate cakes in my spare time,” she says. “I would really like to turn it into a business when I retire.”

But for now, July’s Steward of the Month has enough on her plate besides cake.

As an active member of the Rite Aid negotiations committee, the 25-year union member is especially busy during the current bargaining with her employer.

“Local 1428 is grateful for Kim’s efforts and her expertise,” President Connie M. Leyva says.

Ramirez has strong feelings about the negotiations.

“I would like to see us paid a fair wage and at the very least keep the health care and benefits we already have,” she says.

Those goals can be achieved, she says, because “Rite Aid members are strong. We all stick together and back each other up.”

Ramirez is one of the reasons for that strength.

“Everyone at my store (Rite Aid 5593 in La Puente) knows to come to me with any questions about the union or negotiations,” Ramirez says. “I go to all the conferences and stay updated as best I can. I also keep the bulletin board current and even post stories about Wal-Mart when they happen.

“I try to stop all negative talk about the union,” she continues. “During negotiations, it’s the company versus the union — us! It’s my job to remind everyone of the positive things the union does for us.”

She advises more Rite Aid members to “get involved and attend all meetings” while keeping a strong attitude toward management.

“I want our members to meet the people running our union,” she says. “Not many people know about how great our union is and how much our president and staff really care about us.”

Ramirez says she doesn’t recall exactly how she became a steward. “We didn’t have a steward in our shop, so I kind of shared the duties with another girl,” Ramirez says. “Eventually I was going to all the meetings and took over the duties myself.”

Ramirez lives with J.R., her husband of 20 years, along with her 17-year-old son, Joshua, and her 13-year-old daughter, Savannah.

With a life that is this busy, having a supportive family at home is icing on the cake.