31:
219:
international vice-president in 1941, and by 1945 had solidified his power in the union. Sullivan's position on the international union's executive board eventually led McFetridge to end efforts to oust
Sullivan. In part, Sullivan's stronger political position resulted from his union's growing membership: Local 32B now had more than 36,000 members in 5,000 office buildings and 22 department stores.
207:. Scalise used his office to gain control over Local 32B and in 1938 engineered Sullivan's election as secretary-treasurer. Sullivan and another officer stuffed the ballot box to ensure victory. In 1940, Scalise was convicted of bribery, embezzlement and labor racketeering, and imprisoned. Local 1 president
152:, on May 7, 1904, to Stephen and Margaret (Fouhy) O'Sullivan. He attended public school, but abandoned his education during high school. His brother Michael was a member of the Cork First Battalion of the IRA and was shot dead along with five other IRA Volunteers by British Crown Forces during the
263:
Age, declining health and a changing SEIU membership led
Sullivan to retire in 1971. The union had grown by 70% during his presidency, to 467,000 members. Large numbers of SEIU members were public sector or health care workers. A number of younger, more activist leaders whose bases of support
218:
Bambrick's charges, however, led to lengthy disputes between the international and
Sullivan. Beginning in 1941, BSEIU President McFetridge attempted to repeatedly "try" Sullivan before various union bodies, but was rebuffed numerous times by state and federal courts. Sullivan was elected a BSEIU
243:
mixed-use development in
Chicago, which he believed would provide numerous jobs for his members. McFetridge asked that BSEIU invest pension funds in the development, a plan which Sullivan opposed. Although he won BSEIU backing for the Marina City development, McFetridge lost control of BSEIU to
214:
On April 25, 1941, Local 32B President James
Bambrick admitted that he had stolen $ 10,000 in union funds. Although Bambrick accused Sullivan of being the real leader of the union (through his ties to Scalise), Sullivan adamantly denied any wrongdoing. Bambrick resigned as union president, and
254:
and other union leaders to dump McFetridge. But media attention to the average age of executive council members probably contributed more to McFetridge's retirement from the federation council. Sullivan was elected an AFL-CIO vice-president on
December 14, 1965.
238:
executive council. McFetridge continued to assert effective control over BSEIU from afar, challenging
Sullivan's decisions, interfering with his choices for staff and elected positions, and undercutting his policy choices. McFetridge was an advocate of the
431:
September 19, 1941. Historians generally consider
Bambrick's accusations to be accurate. See: Witwer, "The Scandal of George Scalise: A Case Study in the Rise of Labor Racketeering in the 1930s,"
250:
Despite McFetridge's retirement as Local 1 president, he signaled that he wanted to retain his position on the AFL-CIO executive council. For much of 1965, Sullivan lobbied AFL-CIO president
247:
BSEIU grew to 40,000 members during
Sullivan's first four-year term in office. In 1968, the international union dropped the word "Building" from its title, adopting its current name.
804:
Building
Service Employees' International Union. Investigation Committee files, 1939-1941. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
917:
227:
Sullivan was elected president of the BSEIU on May 5, 1960, after McFetridge retired. Local 32B had grown to 37,500 members, while BSEIU had about 275,000 members.
932:
211:
was elected BSEIU president. Despite Sullivan's close relationship with Scalise, President McFetridge voiced total confidence in Sullivan's honesty.
177:
942:
129:
947:
952:
180:, who would become its first president. Sullivan became a charter member of the new union, and participated in strikes in 1934 and 1935.
957:
726:
Palladino, Grace. "When Militancy Isn't Enough: The Impact of Automation on New York City Building Service Workers, 1934-1970."
937:
845:
133:
372:
Palladino, "When Militancy Isn't Enough: The Impact of Automation on New York City Building Service Workers, 1934-1970,"
215:
Sullivan succeeded him as interim president on June 19, 1941. Sullivan won a full term as president on September 18.
672:
658:
644:
188:
156:
on 23 March 1921. David O'Sullivan and his brother Thomas emigrated to the United States in 1925, settling in
272:
was elected his successor. Sullivan retired from the AFL-CIO effective as of the federation's fall convention.
782:
Witwer, David. "The Scandal of George Scalise: A Case Study in the Rise of Labor Racketeering in the 1930s."
244:
Sullivan thereafter. McFetridge retired from the union in 1964, leaving Sullivan in unchallenged control.
187:, president of a small BSEIU local of window washers and the international union's representative for the
855:
269:
172:
Shortly after arriving in New York City, Sullivan took a job as an elevator operator. On April 19, 1934,
385:
Witwer, "The Scandal of George Scalise: A Case Study in the Rise of Labor Racketeering in the 1930s,"
153:
887:
284:
821:
812:
164:
in 1932. In 1930, Sullivan married the former Kathleen Connaire. The couple had five children.
878:
803:
927:
922:
865:
200:
8:
264:
lay in these two groups were challenging Sullivan for leadership. Sullivan retired, and
899:
837:
208:
668:
654:
640:
231:
595:
A Need for Valor: The Roots of the Service Employees International Union, 1902-1992.
488:
A Need for Valor: The Roots of the Service Employees International Union, 1902-1992,
280:
276:
195:
died in April 1937, Scalise was elected BSEIU president with the assistance of the
80:
76:
234:
and was elected the local's president. He also refused to give up his seat on the
204:
895:
545:
December 12, 1965; Jones, "28 Nominees to Vie for 27 Top A.F.L.-C.I.O. Posts,"
196:
184:
161:
230:
McFetridge did not, however, retire quietly. He returned to his home local in
911:
157:
549:
December 14, 1965; Jones, "A.F.L.-C.I.O. Selects Meany's Council Choices,"
251:
817:
809:
Executive Office: David Sullivan Records at the Walter P. Reuther Library
808:
240:
192:
145:
125:
54:
265:
665:
Mobsters, Unions, and Feds: The Mafia and the American Labor Movement.
441:
Mobsters, Unions, and Feds: The Mafia and the American Labor Movement,
423:
April 26, 1941; "David Sullivan Wins Post in Building Service Local,"
691:
Jones, David R. "28 Nominees to Vie for 27 Top A.F.L.-C.I.O. Posts."
173:
874:
677:
Jones, David R. "A.F.L.-C.I.O. Selects Meany's Council Choices."
235:
149:
58:
30:
533:
January 17, 1965; Stetson, "Age Is A Problem In Labor Council,"
604:
New York: Building Service Employees International Union, 1955.
541:
December 3, 1965; Jones, "Labor Chiefs Pick Council Nominees,"
597:
Washington, D.C.: Service Employees International Union, 1992.
456:
September 20, 1944; "Sullivan Re-Elected Head of Local 32-B,"
818:
SEIU Local 32B-32J Records at the Walter P. Reuther Library
389:
Summer 2003; "Bambrick Testifies of Threat On His Life,"
393:
August 23, 1944; "Sullivan Disputes Bambrick On Funds,"
918:
Presidents of the Service Employees International Union
124:(May 7, 1904 – January 23, 1976) was an American
733:
Raskin, A.H. "At 20, Local 32-B Is Still 'Going Up'."
712:"New Yorker Is Re-Elected By Building Service Union."
684:
Jones, David R. "Labor Chiefs Pick Council Nominees."
628:"David Sullivan Wins Post in Building Service Local."
516:"New Yorker Is Re-Elected By Building Service Union,"
35:
David Sullivan, photographed as president of Local 32B
747:
Stetson, Damon. "Age Is A Problem In Labor Council."
359:Raskin, "At 20, Local 32-B Is Still 'Going Up',"
909:
698:"Leader of Local in City To Head Elevator Men."
600:Building Service Employees International Union.
323:"Leader of Local In City to Head Elevator Men,"
130:Building Service Employees International Union
503:March 17, 1969; "Change for the Changeless,"
460:January 31, 1945; "Sullivan Ouster Blocked,"
586:"Bambrick Testifies of Threat On His Life."
537:February 22, 1965; "The Old and New Faces,"
768:"Sullivan Re-Elected Head of Local 32-B."
637:Biographical Dictionary of American Labor.
309:Biographical Dictionary of American Labor,
29:
933:American trade unionists of Irish descent
740:Raskin, A.H. "Room at the Top In Labor."
572:"Bambrick Admits Stealing Union Funds."
427:June 20, 1941; "Bambrick Aide Elected,"
419:"Bambrick Admits Stealing Union Funds,"
355:
353:
351:
319:
317:
275:After his retirement, Sullivan lived in
167:
775:"Wide 'Purge' Is On In Scalise Union."
754:"Sullivan Disputes Bambrick On Funds."
406:"Wide 'Purge' Is On In Scalise Union,"
287:on January 23, 1976, at the age of 71.
258:
115:Stephen and Margaret (Fouhy) O'Sullivan
910:
789:"W. L. M'Fetridge, Labor Leader, 75."
639:Westport, Ct.: Greenwood Press, 1984.
614:"Court Bars Trial of Union Official."
499:"W. L. M'Fetridge, Labor Leader, 75,"
452:"Court Bars Trial of Union Official,"
303:
301:
299:
943:Trade unionists from New York (state)
846:Service Employees International Union
565:"Accounting Asked of Union's Funds."
348:
337:
335:
333:
314:
134:Service Employees International Union
948:Irish emigrants to the United States
705:"New Chief Named By Service Union."
602:"Going Up!": The Story of Local 32B.
529:Raskin, "Room at the Top In Labor,"
473:"New Chief Named By Service Union,"
176:was founded under the leadership of
667:New ed. New York: NYU Press, 2007.
296:
13:
330:
222:
14:
969:
797:
958:Trade unionists from Cork (city)
653:New York: PublicAffairs, 2006.
523:
510:
493:
480:
467:
953:Vice presidents of the AFL–CIO
446:
413:
400:
379:
366:
132:(BSEIU), the precursor to the
1:
607:"Change for the Changeless."
559:
183:Sullivan allied himself with
139:
938:Activists from New York City
621:"David Sullivan, 71, Dead."
341:"David Sullivan, 71, Dead,"
128:leader and president of the
99:Kathleen (Connaire) Sullivan
7:
761:"Sullivan Ouster Blocked."
714:United Press International.
518:United Press International,
268:public sector labor leader
10:
974:
784:Journal of Social History.
433:Journal of Social History,
387:Journal of Social History,
892:
872:
862:
852:
842:
834:
829:
719:"The Old and New Faces."
579:"Bambrick Aide Elected."
154:Irish War of Independence
111:
103:
95:
87:
65:
40:
28:
21:
290:
285:Booth Memorial Hospital
191:. When BSEIU president
16:American trade unionist
822:Wayne State University
813:Wayne State University
593:Beadling, Tom, et al.
879:Trades Union Congress
168:Rise within Local 32B
144:Sullivan was born in
136:, from 1960 to 1971.
866:Anthony J. DeAndrade
830:Trade union offices
651:Solidarity For Sale.
437:Solidarity For Sale,
435:Summer 2003; Fitch,
259:Retirement and death
201:Luciano crime family
160:. Sullivan became a
730:28:2 (Spring 1987).
635:Fink, Gary M., ed.
618:September 20, 1944.
583:September 19, 1941.
553:December 15, 1965.M
283:. He died there at
162:naturalized citizen
900:John H. Lyons, Jr.
838:William McFetridge
751:February 22, 1965.
695:December 14, 1965.
688:December 12, 1965.
681:December 15, 1965.
611:December 22, 1961.
507:December 22, 1961.
209:William McFetridge
906:
905:
893:Succeeded by
869:William J. Farson
853:Succeeded by
844:President of the
779:October 11, 1940.
772:January 31, 1945.
744:January 17, 1965.
723:December 3, 1965.
625:January 25, 1976.
410:October 11, 1940.
345:January 25, 1976.
119:
118:
965:
877:delegate to the
863:Preceded by
835:Preceded by
827:
826:
758:August 29, 1944.
590:August 23, 1944.
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397:August 29, 1944.
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277:Flushing, Queens
77:Flushing, Queens
72:
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19:
18:
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870:
868:
858:
849:
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793:March 17, 1969.
791:New York Times.
777:New York Times.
770:New York Times.
765:April 20, 1945.
763:New York Times.
756:New York Times.
749:New York Times.
742:New York Times.
737:April 18, 1954.
735:New York Times.
721:New York Times.
707:New York Times.
702:April 22, 1960.
700:New York Times.
693:New York Times.
686:New York Times.
679:New York Times.
663:Jacobs, James.
649:Fitch, Robert.
630:New York Times.
623:New York Times.
616:New York Times.
588:New York Times.
581:New York Times.
576:April 26, 1941.
574:New York Times.
569:April 14, 1944.
567:New York Times.
562:
557:
551:New York Times,
547:New York Times,
543:New York Times,
539:New York Times,
535:New York Times,
531:New York Times,
528:
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511:
501:New York Times,
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494:
485:
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475:New York Times,
472:
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464:April 20, 1945.
462:New York Times,
458:New York Times,
454:New York Times,
451:
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429:New York Times,
425:New York Times,
421:New York Times,
418:
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408:New York Times,
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395:New York Times,
391:New York Times,
384:
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371:
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363:April 18, 1954.
361:New York Times,
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349:
343:New York Times,
340:
331:
327:April 22, 1960.
325:New York Times,
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315:
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223:SEIU presidency
205:Anthony Carfano
174:BSEIU Local 32B
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69:23 January 1976
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798:External links
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728:Labor History.
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883:1964
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856:George Hardy
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786:Summer 2003.
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376:Spring 1987.
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270:George Hardy
262:
252:George Meany
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91:Union leader
71:(1976-01-23)
928:1976 deaths
923:1904 births
241:Marina City
197:Chicago mob
193:Jerry Horan
912:Categories
850:1960-1971
560:References
486:Beadling,
266:California
189:East Coast
140:Early life
88:Occupation
51:7 May 1904
47:1904-05-07
112:Parent(s)
281:New York
203:mobster
104:Children
81:New York
875:AFL-CIO
236:AFL-CIO
232:Chicago
150:Ireland
59:Ireland
885:With:
671:
657:
643:
307:Fink,
96:Spouse
609:Time.
505:Time,
490:1992.
443:2007.
311:1984.
291:Notes
126:labor
669:ISBN
655:ISBN
641:ISBN
199:and
146:Cork
66:Died
55:Cork
41:Born
820:at
811:at
914::
350:^
332:^
316:^
298:^
279:,
148:,
79:,
57:,
49:)
45:(
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