The MTD mourns the passing of a fighter for all working people, Robert M. “Bob” McGlotten, 77, who died March 11.
After retiring from the AFL-CIO following 28 years of service, he continued working on Capitol Hill through his own lobbying firm until his death. He was very involved during last month’s MTD Executive Board meeting in San Diego.
“Bob McGlotten was a font of knowledge regarding labor and politics,” recalled MTD President Michael Sacco. “He was a good friend and we will miss him greatly.”
McGlotten started at the AFL-CIO in 1967 in the Department of Civil Rights. From 1970 to 1972, he was the executive director of the Human Resources Development Institute. The next year, he served as special assistant to U.S. Labor Secretary Peter J. Brennan. He started working in the AFL-CIO’s legislative department in 1974, becoming its director in 1986. He worked the halls of Congress as the federation’s chief lobbyist until his retirement in 1995.
In 1987, his work was recognized with the A. Phillip Randolph Achievement Award. He served on the board of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, and was very giving of his time to help others.
An Army veteran, he was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and St. Joseph’s College for Industrial and Labor Management.
McGlotten was a regular presence at MTD meetings and conventions, having spoken at several during his tenure as the AFL-CIO Legislative Director.