The founding president of Canada’s biggest private-sector union is now under investigation over handling of Unifor finances, says Blacklock’s Reporter..Jerry Dias, 63, recently quit citing health reasons and then abruptly resigned from the union..The union’s national treasurer ordered an outside inquiry, Unifor said Monday..“Unifor’s national executive board will meet March 21 to discuss the matter,” Kathleen O’Keefe, spokesperson for the union, said in a statement..“The union will have no further public comment prior to receipt of the investigative report.”.Unifor has $285.7 million in assets belonging to 315,000 members. Its accounts were cleared by auditors as recently as last June 17. The union on February 23 had no specific comment on Blacklock’s inquiries regarding unproven allegations involving Dias..“In order to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation and to maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Unifor Constitution specifics of the complaint will not divulged at this time,” said O’Keefe..“Every Unifor member is held to the same standard and afforded the same rights under our Constitution.”.Union bylaws state all executives “shall be bound by the highest possible standards of ethics” with strict oversight of members’ dues and rules against any cross-dealing including loans to union officers..“The financial practices of the union shall at all times meet the highest available standard of accounting,” states the constitution..Dias on Jan. 29 was told he was under investigation, according to Unifor. On February 6 Dias went on paid medical leave..“Jerry did not make the decision to take this leave easily,” a Unifor statement said at the time..“We hope you will respect his privacy. We are wishing him well. While on leave Jerry will not be carrying out the responsibilities of the office of president.”.“My Twitter account will be a little quiet for a while,” Dias announced on Feb.16..“I am taking time off to deal with some health issues. I have every confidence the Unifor leadership team and staff will continue the important work of the union in my absence.”.Then Dias abruptly resigned Friday..“Thank you for long years of service to Canadian workers Jerry Dias,” Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan said in a statement prior to confirmation of the investigation..“Workers in this country are better off because of your leadership.”.Dias in 2013 was sworn in as founding president of Unifor created as a merger of the Canadian Auto Workers and Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. The son of a longtime president of Auto Workers Local 112 of Toronto, Dias had served 25 years as a union officer.
