Jerry Addy
Senior Associate

It was spring in Des Moines in 1969 and Jerry Addy’s phone rang.  “Hello, Jerry. This is Governor Bob Ray.  How would you like to be my State Labor Commissioner?”  To make a short story short, Jerry was appointed that May as Iowa Labor Commissioner at age 28.  After nearly eight years, he returned to the trade union movement where he served in a number of capacities. His forte was negotiations and the deep understanding of practical policy. In 2003, he joined SPPG as a Senior Associate.

Jerry’s first job was working at the neighborhood grocery store for 35 cents an hour, often from 6:00 to 11:00 pm.  While still at Grandview College, and working in a warehouse, he became active in the trade union movement. He became President of the Teamsters Local 394 and organized workers, sought labor agreements, and conducted NLRB elections.  He grew proficient in negotiating labor contracts and became active in the policy advocacy of union priorities. And then he joined the Ray administration.

For the next 25 years he extended his reach in his work with trade unions and in the community, serving in many roles. He also became a fixture with local, legislative, congressional, and presidential candidates, and a “reality check” to many. 

“The trade unions teach good work habits and give a real sense of being able to be a legitimate consumer. Certainly, with my many experiences, my work at SPPG allows me to offer perspective on many of the projects.  I truly understand why we do the work we do.”

He has paid great respect to his roots with his tenacious fundraising and detailed administrative work on the Iowa Workers Monument, which is currently under construction on the state Capitol grounds.  Jerry notes, “This is a tribute to all of Iowa’s workers – nurses, farmers, teachers, plant workers – all of the workers who built our great state.”