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On August 26th, 2003, Jerry
Lee was elected President of the Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council,
which represents approximately 180,000 union workers across the
state. As president, he is the Council’s chief lobbyist in
the Tennessee Legislature, where he supports issues aimed at improving
working conditions, health care, retirement, and legal justice
for all working people in Tennessee.
Jerry began his professional training with
the Nashville Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program
after graduating from Gallatin High School in Sumner County. While
working as an apprentice wireman, he achieved the status of journeyman
electrician. Throughout his years as a skilled craftsman in the
electrical field, he held positions of foreman and superintendent
with various Middle Tennessee contractors. Jerry subsequently
took his toolbox on the road for ten years while working for construction
contractors across the U. S. and Canada.
From 1998-2003, Jerry was elected twice
and served as Business Manager and Financial Secretary of the
IBEW Local 429, where he began as an organizer in 1995. Jerry
is also president of the Nashville Building and Construction Trades
Council and has served in that capacity since being elected in
August 2000.
Jerry’s broad educational background
includes a Bachelor of Science Degree with honors in Geology,
English Literature and American History from the University of
Tennessee at Nashville. He holds a certification in Labor Law
from the George Meany Center for Labor Studies, and has received
extensive training in areas such as – Collective Bargaining,
Organizing, Community Services, Employee Benefit Plans, Train-the-Trainer
and Stewards Training. Jerry is also a graduate of Leadership
Nashville and currently serves on their Board of Trustees.
Jerry’s tireless dedication to social
and economic justice is exemplified through active involvement
with various influential organizations. Organizations that support
the advancement of diversity and the welfare of working class
people in which Jerry is a member include the A. Phillip Randolph
Institute, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Coalition of Black
Trade Unionists, the NAACP, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee
Rights Coalition, and the Nashville Peace and Justice Center.
Jerry’s strong state-wide leadership
also results from committed participation as a board member of
the Tennessee Department of Human Services Families First Advisory
Council, Tennessee Governors Roundtable, Nashville’s Agenda
Steering Committee, AFL-CIO Appalachian Council, State Workers
Compensation Advisory Council, State Unemployment Compensation
Council, and member of Jobs-with-Justice and the Tennessee Employment
Relations Research Association.
Jerry enjoys camping, hiking, photography
and the outdoors and he is passionate student of arts and music.
He and his wife, Pamela, are the parents of three sons.
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