Jerry Dias accused of breaching union ethics in dealings with COVID test supplier, says he’s going to rehab facility
Unifor, Canada's largest private sector union, says former president Jerry Dias breached the union's code of ethics in an interaction with a third party supplier of COVID-19 rapid tests.
The update from high-ranking union officials follows revelations of an external investigation into Unifor's long-time leader following an internal complaint.
The investigation has now concluded on the balance of probability that Dias promoted a supplier of rapid tests to various" Unifor employers who subsequently purchased the kits, said the union's secretary-treasurer Lana Payne in a Wednesday press conference.
At some point prior to Jan. 20, 2021, Dias accepted $50,000 from the supplier, Payne said. Dias then gave a Unifor employee half of those funds, stating that the money came from the test supplier, according to Payne.
The employee subsequently filed a complaint under Unifor's code of ethics.
We know that Unifor members will be upset by what you're learning today," said Payne. Our union's Constitution has a very strong code of ethics, which is in place to ensure that no elected union leader is acting for personal gain."
Payne said Unifor funds were not involved in the interaction.
The allegations first surfaced publicly March 14, that Uniforhad received a complaint about Dias in late January, said Payne. On Jan. 29, Dias was informed of the investigation, and on Feb. 6 he went on leave citing health issues.
A month later, he informed the Unifor executive board he was retiring effective immediately, just days before news of the investigation became public.
In a statement sent to the Star, Dias said he was always guided by the principles set out in our constitution." He said he was unable to participate in the investigation into the complaint against him on his physician's advice."
My physician has told me, straight up, that I need help. That's why I am entering a residential rehabilitation facility. I will also be stepping away temporarily from all of my advisory positions."
Dias said his medical leave was approved by the union and that his doctor provided a detailed health report to the investigator engaged by Unifor. He said his life took a remarkable turn for the worse" due to a debilitating" sciatic nerve issue.
"It's hard for me to say this, but my coping mechanism has been pain killers, sleeping pills and alcohol. These factors have impaired my judgement in recent months, and I owe it to our members to seek the treatment I need," Dias's statement said.
Anyone who knows me, knows that my work with Unifor has been my reason for getting out of bed for nearly a decade. The union has been my whole life, born and bred. But now it's time for me to listen to my doctor and put my health first."
Dias's retirement triggered plans for an emergency convention to elect his replacement, which was originally supposed to happen in August.
Unifor Local 444 president Dave Cassidy and Dias's executive assistant, Scott Doherty, are both in the running to replace Dias; Doherty has been endorsed by the national executive board.
In late February, Cassidy emailed the executive team asking for transparency about Dias's leave and about the outside legal firm tasked with investigating the longtime union leader. Cassidy's email questioned whether Dias's leave was medical in nature.
In an email informing Unifor staff of his retirement March 11, Dias said he had been dealing with heart issues on top of the sciatic nerve issue.
Unifor's executive board met on March 21 to discuss the matter.
We appreciate that news of an investigation is shocking and troubling but want to assure that all appropriate steps were and are being taken as per our Constitution and while respecting the rights of all individuals involved in the process," Unifor said in a statement to members. Specifics of the complaint were not divulged.
Dias was elected Unifor national president in 2013 when the union was formed as a merger between the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers(CAW). Unifor represents around 315,000 workers in almost 30 sectors, including at the Toronto Star.
During his time as Unifor national president, Dias maintained a high public profile, taking part in international trade discussions and waging a campaign to keep General Motors' Oshawa plant open. He also joined with other unions to advocate for stronger safety precautions for workers during the pandemic.
But he drew fire over pay concessions at GM's iconic Oshawa plant, as well as for bigger-picture decisions at Unifor - like breaking away from the Canadian Labour Congress.
Dias was recently tapped to lead the Premier's Council on U.S. Trade and Industry Competitiveness, established to fight buy American" policies that favour American-built electric vehicles and other U.S. products over Ontario products. He has stepped back from that role citing health concerns, but had not resigned as of Tuesday, March 15.
With files from Rob Ferguson and The Canadian Press
More to come