b'knocking on the street trap, a young man who exited the building heard my knocking. I asked if he would please go backinto the building and send the elevator to the basement. Several minutes later he called to me from the street and told methe elevator would only go up and down to the first floor level. He asked me what he could do. My response was, Please callthe Police Department and tell them that a New York City Water Inspector is trapped in the basement of this building.After waiting awhile, I heard some hustling and bustling and finally the street trap doors were opened. Upon ascending to the street, I saw two police officers and their squad car.I looked at my watch and thanked each officer individually while getting their names and shield numbers, all ofwhich was necessary for the report that I would file with my summary sheet.Needless to say, any police action usually attracts people. When I came out of the basement there was a sizeableamount of spectators. Some were surprised when I shook the officers hands and thanked them.Just another day in the life of a Water Inspector working in Manhattan.\x02Alex SchwedackDepartment of Parks, Prospect Park shops Member since1952In his own wordsWhen I first started in 1951, I was getting$9.28 per day and every other Saturday we worked 1 / 2 day. We used torepair the benches through the boroughs along the parkways, and in the parks. I also worked at the Brownsville BoysClub, which was taken over by the Parks Department and maintained. I transferred back to the shops, working in the roofing and sheet metal shop. We would travel from park to park repairing the roofs, window guards, metal doors, etc.There were what was called "Prevailing Rate Lawyers." Each of us who wanted a raise would sign up with them. They inturn would get a certain percentage from the amount of the raises of each one who signed with them. These lawyers weresupposed to get the highest rate in the industry for your title, and the city looked for the lowest. Then the negotiationsstarted. Some did not sign up, and they got a free ride paying nothing to the lawyers, yet getting the same rate as thosethat did sign up.We did not get paid for legal holidays. In the month of October, we lost pay for Columbus Day and Armistice day,and Election Day in November. That was quite a slice off of your week\'s pay.I remember joining Henry Feinstein\'s union (District Council 37), and it folded quickly. I think that is when 237 cameinto being. (His son became 237 president.) Frank Scapinato and Pete Castellone would come around to the shop, andI think he signed me up.Through the union, we gained vacation, sick leave,personal days as well as glasses and the prescription drugs, dental, etc. None of these were available to us way back then.The newsletter we receive gives us retirees news of the past retirees, present plans, and future happenings. We have someone to call for answers to questions that bother us.192 '