b"Its very nice when you can work in an environment like that, it makes all the difference. When you got in-volved with the heating plant technician, did you stay at Morrisania?I was blessed and Mr. Peterson became a superintendent at Union Avenue Consolidated. He knew my work ethics;he gave me a provisional position as a heating plant technician there.Can you tell me a little bit about how you got connected with the union? You said you attended meetings?When I used to see the bulletins for meetings, I got curious. I just came out and checked them out. When I wanted tobe a supervisor of caretakers, I came out to get educated about it and then I joined the classes. I believe the classes werebeing given on 17th street, between 7th and 8th Avenue. We used to go there. Same thing for heating plant technician,assistant supers, superintendents exam or classes, that's why I used to come. I joined the Union right away for the pension, the benefits, everything. It's the safety and security of my children. Of my well being too. That's why I'm enjoying the fruits of my labor right now. Thanks to the union, I'm protected. I have benefits, I'm living it up, I'm comfortable. I'm happy.Were you ever shop steward or worked as a grievance representative?No, I was never a shop steward. But I did participate in some functions for the union. I was blessed to do that. My girlfriend, Doris Welch, encouraged me to come in. I used to come to the meetings. They used to go to Atlantic City for the functions, so she invited me. I was allowed to go to those functions, along with Mr. Ralph Staville [sp?] and others.There was one time, 2005 or 2006, I sang for them. She took me to a meeting in Arizona or Texas. They didn't have anybody to sing the Puerto Rican anthem. I'm very proud and I said: Since you don't have anybody, I'm willing to do it. I was scared, but I did it. And then Miss Janet- sweetheart that lady- who was in charge of all those activities, meetingsand conferences in different states hired me for about three years to sing. It was a beautiful experience. I met beautifulmembers, from the railroads, from hospitals, schools. It's amazing all the people they have. But I believe New York CityHousing Authority was the biggest membership.Were these conferences for the Latino members?The conference was for everybody, but they do the American anthem, the African American anthem and the PuertoRican Anthem. When I heard that they didnt have anyone to sing the Puerto Rican anthem, I was so emotional. I was inthe audience, I said: I could do that. I could sing. And God blessed me, and I sang. And then they hired me for about twoor three years, and I sang for them. It was so beautiful. Beautiful experience. I was able to see another world. I, and thepeople you meet, can't forget them. Different coalitions, Latino coalitions, oh my lord, we had a ball. In Texas, we gottogether after the meetings in the night we used to go to a bar and eat and drink and ride this mechanical bull and allthat. It was so beautiful. I enjoyed every minute of it. I thank God that I met Doris, that I was in the union and then I metthese beautiful people, like Miss Nancy True. The young ladys downstairs in charge of the law department. It was a lot ofpeople. And Mr. Carl Haynes too. Sweetheart of a man.137 "