He served in the US Air Force before, in 1961 becoming an electronics technician for the Army Interagency Communications Agency.
He joined the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), and presided over its local in Winchester, Virginia for eight years.
Sturdivant began working full-time for the union as organizing director, based in Washington DC.
In 1988, he defeated Kenneth T. Blaylock, the incumbent president, and became the leader of the union, which was facing bankruptcy.
[2][3] As the leader of the union, Sturdivant cut costs sharply and enforced payment of dues more strongly, resolving the AFGE's financial issues.