b'\x02Note from the EditorsIn 1993, Nancy B. True initiated the Teamster Local 237 Oral History Project to collect and preservethe stories of the members, founders and builders of the union, which was founded in 1952. Some recollections speak to the struggles to organize the union and for better wages and working conditions.Others refer to the experiences on the job and satisfaction of a job well done. But all the reminiscencesexpress the strength of the brotherhood and sisterhood of the union. The book title, Solidarity, Pride,Struggle, reflects the feeling these narratives convey. Union members are proud of their accomplishments and the bonds they have made. We are grateful to all who shared their stories.In addition to being grateful for Ms. Trues foresight in seeing the importance of gathering oral histories and for the members participation, there are others to thank. There are the interviewersNancy True, Donna Ristorucci and Erica Gottfried. The interviews were transcribed by Richard Trammell,Lizz Huff and Donna Ristorucci. Many hours of editing by Donna Ristorucci and Marian Bach have hopefully made this collection easy to read.Over the years, oral histories have been published in the Locals retiree newsletter, Retiree News & Views,and as reprints in booklet form, and are posted on the unions website (www.local237.org).In 2015, the Oral History Project was expanded to Puerto Rico. This provided an opportunity to capturethe histories of our Puerto Rican diaspora, members who worked for many years as public employeesin New York City and then made a U-turn to the island for retirement. The Oral History Project publishedits first book Memoria de boricus pereginos, Teamsters Local 237, in Spanish), anthologizing interviewsthat were completed in Puerto Rico by Nestor Murray-Irizarry. This second book gathers a number offull interviews, excerpts of interviews and members recollections in their own words. Each one tells of personal, individual experiences, but they all speak to the strength of union bonds. We hope Solidarity, Pride, Strugglewill enlighten you on what it means to be a member of Team-sters Local 237. It reflects the Retiree Divisions slogan:Retired from work, not from the union.Donna Ristorucci, EditorMarian Bach, EditorFebruary 20226 '