b'\x02Thomas J. BalzanoNYCHA, PhotographerMember since 1971In his own wordsI joined the New York City Housing Authority in 1969 as a photographer. At that time photographers were represented by the Newspaper Guild of New York. This union was not familiar with civil service negotiations, health planstructure, etc. With the help of Bert Rose, Local 237 representative, and several fellow photographers, we were able tobring about an election and successfully joined Locals 237. The rest is history.Thanks to our affiliation with the Teamsters our small group of city photographers received wonderful representationby a professional union which knew its way around in dealing with the City of New York. I retired in 1995 after 25 years\x02service, as senior photographer. Thanks to Local 237 for your help before and after retirement.Nora DavilaNYCHA, Assistant Housing ManagerMember since 1978In her own wordsMy perception about the better quality of life that local 237 has provided its members is tied at first instance to myfathers impressions. He came to 237 through NYCHA as a Caretaker J in 1956. He worked at Johnson Houses and welived a few avenues over at Jefferson. Id hear my mom talking to the neighborhood women and they sounded amazedthat we could be treated by the doctor and pick-up medicine for small fees.My father spoke often of feeling grateful to his shop foreman who took time with him to explain that taking a reduced pension would assure his widow benefits if he should die. I started my adult work life in NYCHA too. Ive neverconsidered myself good with numbers and much less, especially at that time at negotiating for what an employer can giveme.It has struck me over and over how lucky it is to have someone who knows the ropes looking out for you when youdont. At the job out in the field, in this mundane example, I was grateful nevertheless that the union made management/ maintenance properly clean our floors after an overnight sewage back up. We were being required to work and see tenants despite waste encrusted floors until they could get to us.With the turning of time now, the unions power is being attacked looking at the brief news story of agreements tobe voted on by NYCHA members (12/12/18). Id like to think that the union still got the best possible deal. Now retired for a little bit, Im enjoying all the benefits the union got us in the 70s The pension, of course , a supplemental plan,medicine , glasses and it goes on; good support!The most fun was sharing art, music and the cultural committee programs with other retirees. Nancy True, our director, gave me (and did similar for others) what was a personal challenge-to write and give a shorttalk on The Vote at The Founders Luncheon. It felt good to have done it.So Im thinking that the union impacts and has impacted its members quality of life on very many levels.203 '