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That approach of seeing the contract not as a set of rules but as a battleground is an important difference from how most unions operate. I would say that's a very key political point.

Later on it becomes more difficult to operate that. As you get bigger, and as your organization is not prepared -- you see, a lot of things you gain through accretion, a lot of things you win easily. So you don't have the same kind of base. Also the management is getting tougher. Davis has begun to become very familiar with the whole structure of hospital finances and how it works. Davis understands it and begins to play it for all it's worth. What do I mean by that? I mean that every time we get an increase, the rates go up. So that when you begin to negotiate with the hospitals -- this climaxed in 1968. In 1968, Davis said, “Our goal is $100 minimum by the end of this contract.” I think that we were at $78 or $74 a week when the contract expired. Davis said, “A hundred dollars or bust. We're going to have a minimum starting salary of $100 on the lowest paid job.” Even we didn't really believe him; we thought he was bluffing and he was going to negotiate. As it came closer and closer to the contract deadline, it became very clear that he was not going to move, that it was $100. I remember Norman Metzger of Mt. Sinai -- See, one of the things that we did was we developed -- the introduction of the union forced the hospitals, because as labor became more expensive, the hospitals were forced to bring in specialists who could understand and knew a little bit about labor relations. Until then they didn't have anybody. The people didn't know. So they brought in people like Norman Metzger who came in from GE, and people who were trained in industry, came in to become personnel directors. The League of Voluntary Hospitals was formed and was headed by Bill Abelow, who has skill; this is his business.

Metzger in '68 approached Elliot and said, “Look. Your president is crazy. We can't give them $100. If he gets ninety-five, ninety-six, it's fantastic.”

Elliott tried to reason with Davis. Davis said, “No. A hundred dollars. Not one penny less.” What was he counting on? See, the negotiations were taking place with the League. In the distance at certain points, the city was a factor, under Lindsay. The city was a major factor. So if you've got Lindsay's support, Lindsay was with you and Lindsay would back you, and Lindsay would guarantee that city money would come into the package. See? That was a period when city administrations in those days felt, “We're piling a debt for later on. I won't be here. I would look good on this thing.” Then you had the situation of the state being involved, that the governor, through the state, had to sign on on