SEIU Executive Office: David Sullivan Records

Accession Number: 
LR001542_EOSullivan
Extent: 
93 linear feet (93 SB)

David Sullivan was an elevator operator in New York City and a founding member of the Service Employees International Union's Local 32B in 1934. He rapidly ascended the ranks of the local's leadership and eventually became International President. Sullivan enhanced the union's visibility and influence by moving the International headquarters from Chicago to Washington, D.C. in 1963. In this same vein, he involved the union in the AFL-CIO's Committee on Political Education, a political fund designed to help finance the campaigns of politicians friendly to organized labor. He also became a vice president of the AFL-CIO, instituted a pension plan as well as a college scholarship program for members and their children, directed the union's attention to the elderly and retired members, and developed a Civil Rights Department for SEIU. The collection records include correspondence, clippings, reports, and other materials related to local unions, joint councils, high-ranking union officials, representatives and organizers, among other subjects.

Date: 
1937-1973
Attachment(click to download)
LR001542_EOSullivan.pdfLR001542_EOSullivan_guide.pdf511.95 KB