Unifor secretary-treasurer Lana Payne running for national president to replace Dias


The Canadian Press
Yesterday 

DEER LAKE, N.L. — Unifor's national secretary-treasurer has joined the race to replace Jerry Dias as head of Canada's largest private sector union.

Lana Payne announced her candidacy for national president today on Facebook.

She says she made the decision after being urged to run by many union members, following Dias's retirement after he allegedly accepted money from a supplier of COVID-19 rapid test kits he promoted to members.

Payne says the past months have been difficult but have given her a new sense of resolve about the union's future and "the kind of leadership we will need to redress the hurt, rebuild trust, and build the hope and confidence we will need to take on the many fights ahead."

Two other candidates have announced plans to run for the position: Dave Cassidy, Local 444 president at the Stellantis Windsor assembly plant, and Scott Doherty, executive assistant to the national president.

The new leader will be elected to a three-year term at Unifor's constitutional convention in August.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2022.

The Canadian Press