Tennessee AFL-CIO

Jack Irby,Technical Assistance Program

 

Jack began his career in 1966 working at General Dynamics-Fort Worth, Texas. He was a member of the IAM Union there until moving to Nashville in late 1970. In 1971 he began working as a Correctional Officer at the Tennessee State Prison in Nashville. Leaving the prison system in 1972 he began working at the American Bread Company as a route salesman remaining there until 1992. During his twenty years at American Bread Jack served as shop steward, vice president and president of the Bakers Union BC&T Local 128. In 1992 he left American Bread to become the first full time Business Agent of Local 128. He remained there until 1995 when American Bread was sold and closed. In 1995 he was hired as Assistant Business and served Bakers Local 25 in Chattanooga until he retired in June 2000.

Jack began as the Part Time Labor coordinator of The Members' Assistant Program in July 2000. He spoke weekly to many locals explaining the benefits of the EAP Program. Throughout his labor career Jack attended the Officers Training Classes at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies in Maryland. He also was awarded a four year ($8,000.00) scholarship by his International Union for writing an essay on his committment to the Labor Movement. He took classes in the College Degree Program at the Meany Center for many years.

Since 1992 he has been a delegate to the Central Labor Council of Nashville serving as Secretary for many years. He has also had training in Community Services as well as serving on the Private Industry Council and also with the Jobs with Justice Program.

In February of 2003 Jack became the full time Labor Coordinator for the Technical Assistance Program serving dislocated workers in 49 middle Tennessee counties.

Jack remains commited to Organized Labor and the cause of Social and Economic Justice for All.