Terry Lynch

Terry Lynch started his career with the International Association Heat & Frost Insulators & Asbestos Workers in 1970 as an apprentice insulator with Asbestos Workers Local 17 in Chicago, Illinois. After completing his apprenticeship, he received his journeyman card in 1974. In 1980, he was elected Vice President of Local 17 and in 1982 attended the first of five conventions as a delegate representing the Local. In December of 1984, Terry was elected Corresponding Recording and Financial Secretary of Local 17 and in 1986 he was elected as Trustee for the Local Union’s Health, Welfare, Pension and Annuity Funds. Terry served the Local as Chairman of these jointly trusted funds and also for the Joint Apprentice Training Committee. In 1996, Terry was elected as Business Manager of the Heat and Frost Insulators’ Local 17.

In September of 2002, Terry was elected to his current post as International Vice President at Large. Terry also serves his International Union as Legislative Director and Health and Safety Director.

Terry comes from a pipe covering family which includes his grandfather, father, uncle, brother and many cousins. Terry’s son, Jason, now completes the fourth generation of pipe coverers in the family.

Terry has always strived to make life better for his fellow Union members and their families. He looks forward to working with the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI).

“The time is long past to address the underlying health crisis,” Lynch said recently. “Asbestos has decimated entire generations of insulators. We have known that asbestos is deadly for decades, but next to nothing has been done to wipe out the epidemic of asbestos cancer. Our members want hope. They want more life. They want investment in prevention and early detection strategies. They are at high risk for disease – they need assurance that if they too are diagnosed, at least there will be reasonable, affordable and accessible treatment options. Insulators, as well as all of our brothers and sisters in the building, metal and shipbuilding trades, helped build this great country. We owe it to working families to invest in a cure.”

Terry earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Northern Illinois University. He is a past Admiral of the Pirates, a group of Union Labor and Management people dedicated to helping special children. Terry also served on the Labor Council with Amalgamated Bank.

Terry has been married for 36 years to his wife Denise. They have one son, Jason, and one grandson, Connor Terrence.

Asbestos Workers Union Joins New Medical Foundation's Quest for Cure of Asbestos and Benzene-Related Cancers (3/20/06)