Jerry Dias
Jerome P. Dias Jr. (born October 10, 1958) is a Canadian trade unionist who was elected the first national president of Unifor in August 2013 at the union’s founding convention following the merger between the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.
Jerry Dias | |
|---|---|
Dias at the 2013 Ontario Federation of Labour convention | |
| 1st President of Unifor | |
| In office August 31, 2013 – March 13, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Lana Payne |
| President of Canadian Auto Workers for Local 112 | |
| In office 1987–1993 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jerome P. Dias Jr. October 10, 1958 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Profession |
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Since then Unifor has grown to represent more than 315,000 workers in every major sector of the Canadian economy. As National President of the largest private sector union in Canada, Dias advocates for workers’ rights, equality and social justice.
Dias was re-elected to his post in 2016 and 2019. On March 13, 2022, he announced his immediate retirement for health reasons. Shortly after, he was accused of taking a $50,000 bribe from COVID-19 test manufacturers in January. He was succeeded by Lana Payne on August 10, 2022.