M.J. GILLOOLY was born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 1, 1881. At the age of eight, with his parents, he moved to Bridgeport, Ohio, where at the ageof eight, with his parents, he moved to Bridgeport, Ohio, where at the age of eleven he entered the employ of the Crystal Glass Company. He remained in the employ of that company until March, 1902, when he began his apprenticeship as a press ware gatherer, serving but a short time when the furnace was let out. He was given a Provisional Card by Local Union No. 99 at Bridgeport, Ohio, and accepted employment with the Beaumont Glass Company, then located at Martins Ferry, Ohio, but later of Grafton, W. Va., where he completed his apprenticeship in
November, 1902, and was admitted to membership in Local Union No. 45. While affiliated with Local Union No. 45, he held various offices, and represented that local at the conventions held in Marietta, Ohio, 1904, Martins Ferry, Ohio, 1905, and Evansville, Indiana, 1907. Mr. Gillooly was the youngest delegate attending the Convention in 1904, and served as Secretary of the Pressware Committee.

Mr. Gillooly worked at the Beaumont Glass Company at Morgantown, W. Va., in 1906, and was an active member of Local Union No. 95. In the fall of 1907, Mr. Gillooly accepted a position as night manager with the Beaumont Glass Company at Grafton, W. Va., which was later known as the Tygart Valley Company, continuing in that position until the members of Local Union No. 45 were locked out on January 1, 1908, at which time he resigned his position and joined the strikers. In February, 1908, he accepted employment with the Jefferson Glass Company, Follansbee, W. Va., and became affiliated with Local Union No. 96. He remained in the employ of this company until October, 1909, when he relinquished his position in order to promote the interest of the strike at Grafton. In November, 1909, he secured a position with the Northwood Glass Company, Wheeling, W. Va., and became affiliated with Local Union No.9, in which local he still retains membership. In 1911 and again in 1912, Mr. Gillooly was elected Chairman of the Executive Board in the Press ware Department, where he rendered valuable service to the department. He was a delegate to the Sea Isle, New Jersey, and Montreal, Canada, Conventions, respectively. At the latter convention the delegates recognizing the ability possessed by Mr. Gillooly, elected him National Organizer, which office he filled from 1912 to July, 1914.

In recognition of his accomplishments at Rochester, Pa., in bringing about an dmicable settlement of the strike situation at the Rochester Tumbler Works which has been in progress for three years, the business men of that city, members of Local Unions and friends of Mr. Gillooly, presented him with a beautiful diamond ring at the Newark, Ohio (1913) Convention. At the Rochester, Pa., (1914) Convention, due to the serious illness of Vice President Croke, Mr. Gillooly was elected to fill temporarily the office of vice-president. After the death of Mr. Croke, Mr. Gillooly was elected to fill his position permanently, and was re-elected at each succeeding convention for a period of eighteen years, with no opposition. At the Atlantic City (1920) Convention. Mr. Gillooly was elected a delegate to the Convention of the American Federation of Labor which was held in Denver, Colorado. In July, 1932, at the Toledo, Ohio, Convention, Mr. Gillooly was elected President of the organization and has been re-elected to this office by acclamation each succeeding year.

Mr. Gillooly has been an untiring worker in the interest of the workers he has been honored to represent, and through his activity and ability has succeeded in accomplishing much for the membership of the organization. He has worked unceasingly and devoted a great deal of time in the organizing field and much credit is due him for securing agreements since the adoption of the N. I. R. A. with companies that heretofore have refused absolutely to deal with organized labor. When Mr. Gillooly was elected president of the American Flint Glass Workers' Union in July, 1932, the organization was broke and in debt over $250,000.00. Within a period of nineteen months, with the splendid cooperation of his co-officials, the Executive Board and membership of the organization, the entire debt was eliminated and on May 30, 1935, the National Union was free from debt :md has in their treasury $250,000.00.

Mr. Gillooly has attended several conventions of the American Federation of Labor. At the recent convention held in Atlantic City, N. J., he served as secretary of the Auditing and Credentials Committee, having been honored in the appointment by President William Green. As a signal honor he was elected without opposition to represent
the American Federation of Labor at the Canadian Trades and Labor Congress to be held in Montreal, Canada, in September, 1936. Mr. Gillooly has filled the office of president of the American Flint Glass Workers' Union with credit not only to himself, but to the organization and the entire Trade Union Movement.

{2000}