DEER LAKE, NL — Unifor’s National Secretary-Treasurer has joined the race to replace Jerry Dias as leader of Canada’s largest private sector union.
Lana Payne announced her candidacy for national president on Tuesday on Facebook.
She says she made the decision following being asked to come forward by many union members following Mr Dias retired. The latter allegedly accepted money from a supplier of rapid COVID-19 test kits which he had promoted to members.
Ms Payne says the past few months have been difficult, but have given her a new sense of determination regarding the future of the union and ‘the kind of leadership we will need to repair wounds, restore trust and inspire hope and the determination we will need to face the many battles to come.”
Two other candidates have announced their intention to run for the position: Dave Cassidy, President of Local 444 at the Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant, and Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to the National President.
The new leader will be elected for a three-year term at Unifor’s constitutional convention in August.
The Canadian Press