Oshawa union ‘hero’ Jerry Dias charged with breach of trust by Unifor for accepting cash from COVID test kit supplier

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Published March 23, 2022 at 5:12 pm

Canada’s largest private sector union, saying its trust in its former National President has been “broken,” is claiming Jerry Dias accepted money from a supplier of COVID-19 rapid test kits that he had introduced to employers of Unifor members.

The Unifor National Executive Board has determined Dias, who was celebrated in some quarters after helping to bring auto manufacturing back to the General Motors plant in Oshawa late last year, stands charged with breaching Article 4, Code of Ethics and Democratic Practices, of the Unifor Constitution after an independent external investigator determined Dias breached his obligations in an interaction with a third party supplier.

The breach did not involve any Unifor finances.

“Unifor is built on a democratic foundation that holds all members to the highest of standards. Our Constitution has strong checks and balances, a robust code of ethics and comprehensive enforcement procedures to ensure that the conduct of all elected leaders reflects the responsibilities entrusted to them,” said Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer Lana Payne, who commissioned the investigation after receiving a formal complaint against Dias on January 26, 2022.

An investigator determined that Dias engaged in several breaches of the Unifor Code of Ethics by accepting $50,000 from a supplier of COVID-19 rapid test kits that he had introduced to employers of Unifor members.

Unifor said none of the employers had knowledge of Dias’ personal interest in the transactions and were not identified. The supplier was not a participant in the investigation and will also go un-named.

“Our trust in one individual has been broken, but our confidence in the integrity of our union remains strong.  I hope that members will recognize the strength of the Constitution that Unifor was built upon. Our union has stood this serious test and the integrity of our process has proven that accountability and transparency to our members is and will always remain our first priority,” said Payne.

Dias retired earlier this month citing medical concerns after originally saying he would leave in August following the end of his third term in office,

The Unifor investigation revealed the following findings:

  • In December 2021 and January 2022, Dias promoted a supplier’s rapid test kits to various Unifor employers, either directly or through Unifor staff under his direction. Several employers of Unifor members purchased tests as a result of Dias’ introductions.
  • At some point prior to January 20, 2022, Dias accepted the sum of $50,000 from the supplier.
  • On January 20, 2022 Dias gave a Unifor employee what Dias said was half of the funds ($25,000), telling the employee that it had come from the supplier.
  • The employee subsequently lodged a complaint under the Unifor Code of Ethics and delivered the funds that he received from Dias to the National Secretary-Treasurer.

Dias was asked to participate in the investigation. However, the investigator’s findings were made without the benefit of his evidence. He has provided medical documentation indicating that he suffers from a number of health issues and went on medical leave on February 6. On March 11, he notified the Unifor National Executive Board of his immediate retirement due to health issues.

Just before Unifor announced its findings, Dias issued a statement saying he is entering a residential rehabilitation facility due to his use of alcohol, painkillers and sleeping pills.

The results of the investigation were provided to the National Secretary-Treasurer on March 15. On March 21 and 22, the investigator’s findings were received and reviewed by the National Executive Board. Based on the findings, Dias now stands charged with violating the Unifor Constitution.

“No one is above our Constitution. Dias’ actions as outlined in the findings are disturbing and if confirmed by the hearing were a clear betrayal of the duties of office, and the trust that each of us as members put into our union,” said Unifor Québec Director Renaud Gagné. “The actions of one individual do not reflect our union.”

The next step, as outlined in the Unifor Constitution, will be a hearing before the National Executive Board where Dias will have an opportunity to present information and arguments concerning the charge.

Unifor is currently seeking legal advice regarding any legal obligations arising from these events.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy, including auto workers in Oshawa, Oakville, St. Catharines and Windsor.

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