b"\x02Irma RabinowitzNYCHA TellerCharter MemberThis interview was conducted at Local 237's Founders Day in 1998.I came into this union not wanting to. I had been fired from my last job for joining a union.To collect unemployment, you had to look for a job. So, they sent me for an interview with the Housing Authority fora job in accounting. I started work with the Housing Authority on July 11, 1941 as a cashier. It was called NCR operator atthe time.Vladeck Houses was my undoing. Thats where I met Max Maurer. The maintenance men were in the union and theyhad gotten a raise. Not only were they getting a raisethey were getting it retroactive. Do you know what retroactivemeans? It means all their wives got mink stoles. I said, That sounds good to me.Max told me, You have to join the union. I said, Are you crazy? I work for the city. What do I need a union for? Weget raises every year. (Excuse me, they were called increments.) And if we did something really outstanding, we could geta $20 bonus. Max kept working on me, and he wore me down. Finally, he said he would introduce me to Barry Feinstein[president of Local 237 after Bill Lewis]. Barry gave me a hard time, too. He pushed me to get signatures for recognition.Next thing you know, I was out getting signatures.There was nothing better than negotiations. I was the only woman in the room. One time we were negotiating withSimeon Golar. [then chairman of NYCHA] Simeon Golar was very tall; I came up to his armpit. Barry used to lose his temper, and the language wasnt the best. At one point, Simeon said to Barry and the other men, Theres a lady in theroom. Watch your language. I raised my hand and said, Excuse me, Mr. Golar. In this room, I am not a woman. In thisroom I am one of the men. And dont forget it. Barry became ten feet tall, and Simeon became five feet tall, shorter than me.31 "