b'been on strike. The first time I went on strike, I think was 1952 TW, (Textile Workers.) That was the ILGW. Did that strike result in what you wanted? Yeah, we got something; you never get everything that you want. I wasnt ever on strike for Local 237. The only Local 237 strike I remember was when they closed the bridges, but I wasnt with bridges. Did you ever require union intervention regarding a problem on the job or the work site? Not for myself, but I went downtown for a hearing for a member when I was a Shop Steward. His supervisor wrotehim up for using alcohol. The union lawyer didnt show up, so it was delayed. It was true and he ultimately got fired. I alsohad to fire a man when I was in shelters. He wouldn\'t come to work. I went through the seven steps. It takes seven stepsto fire a city employee. You got to give him an unauthorized notice, then you got to give him an authorized notice, thenyou got to write him up, and the other steps, I dont remember. That was 29 years ago.When did you retire?February the second, 1989. At the time, I was 58. Im 86 now. If you dont mind telling us, what was your starting salary working for the city and your salary at retirement?When I started in 1964, I was making $4,500 a year. When I retired, I think I was making $32,000.What does it mean to you now to be a union member now that you\'ve retired?They\'ve got several programs for seniors, like a tai chi. I come to the jazz class on Mondays; I come to the politicalclass on Wednesdays. They have tai chi on Wednesdays. They also have theater, photography. It gives you something todo, gets you out of the house.So, did the union help make it possible for you to have a comfortable retirement? Or did you get another jobafter you retired?After I retired, I started volunteering. In fact, I still do. I was doing taxes for an organization on 22nd Street and ParkAvenue. I dropped out about eight or nine years ago. I did taxes for seniors. I was finding jobs for young men and womenand trying to talk them into going back to school. I went to public schools and taught them about bullying. My legsstarted bothering me, so, I can only go now where I can park.Do you have anything else you\'d like to tell me today about the union or about your working?When I started with the union in \'65, the headquarters was in a building down near City Hall. I was afraid to ride theelevator. I think they bought this building, 216 West 14th Street, late \'60s or \'70. I said: "Boy, this is a far cry.Where were you born?I was born in Saint George, South Carolina. I\'s the county seat of Dorchester County, it\'s about 50 miles fromCharleston, 75 miles from Columbia, the capital. My mother brought me here to NYC in 1935, I was five years old. 63 '