On a frigid January night in Queens, the wood-panelled society clubhouse was full of people preparing for one of the most important tests they would ever take. New York’s sanitation worker exam was only three weeks away and there was little time for small talk.
More than 40 exam applicants sat in rows of faded plastic chairs, shuffling through practice materials and asking what it was like to pick up the city’s garbage. A group of stern-faced members from the African-American Benevolent Society (AABS) – all current or retired sanitation employees – stood up front and told them that the job could be tough, but the pay is steady and the pension is excellent.
“Once you’re hired, you’ll get a check for the rest of your life,” said Superintendent Lyle Reid.
