Unifor says Jerry Dias engaged in a number of ethical breaches while he was president of the country’s largest private-sector union, including accepting money from a supplier of rapid COVID-19 tests before promoting those same tests to union members. .At a press conference on Wednesday, Unifor charged Dias with breaching Article 4 of the Unifor Constitution..An independent external investigator determined that on the balance of probabilities Dias breached his obligations in an interaction with a third party supplier, from whom Dias accepted $50,000..“No one is above our Constitution [sic]. 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,” Unifor Québec Director Renaud Gagné said in a statement..“The actions of one individual do not reflect our union.”.The investigator found that 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, Dias accepted the sum of $50,000 from the supplier. The same day, Dias gave a Unifor employee what Dias said was half of the funds {$25,000], and told the employee it came 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. .The breach did not involve any Unifor finances, the union said. .In another press release, which went live moments before Unifor’s press conference, Dias said he’s unable to participate in the investigation “on my physician’s advice.” Dias said he was confronted with a debilitating sciatic nerve issue in December. .“It’s hard for me to say this, but my coping mechanism has been pain killers, sleeping pills and alcohol,” the statement reads. “These factors have impaired my judgement in recent months, and I owe it to our members to seek the treatment I need.”.Dias said his medical leave was approved by the union in February, and a detailed report from his physician has been provided to the investigator..Because of Dias’ health matters, the investigator’s findings were made without the benefit of his evidence, Unifor said..Unifor is currently seeking legal advice regarding any legal obligations arising from the events, the union said..Unifor’s democratic foundation holds all members to the highest of standards, said Unifor national secretary-treasurer Lana Payne, who commissioned the investigation after receiving a formal complaint against Dias on Jan. 26. s.“Our Constitution [sic] 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.”.Now that the investigation has concluded, Unifor wishes to share the results with its members, Payne said..“Every step was taken to investigate and bring this matter to light in a fair and timely manner.”.Rachel Emmanuel is an Ottawa Parliamentary reporter for the Western Standard
