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Jerry Dias: The first president of Unifor

The leader of Unifor Canada's newest and largest private sector union is ready for a fight. He says Ottawa is trying to hobble organized labour and the increasing ranks of unemployed young people need his help. We talk to Jerry Dias about the battle to grow the ranks of unionized workers in the Canadian private sector....
CBC Radio ·
The leader of Unifor Canada's newest and largest private sector union is ready for a fight. He says Ottawa is trying to hobble organized labour and the increasing ranks of unemployed young people need his help. We talk to Jerry Dias about the battle to grow the ranks of unionized workers in the Canadian private sector.


Meet the first president of Unifor - the largest private sector union in Canada

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First president of Unifor, Jerry Dias
(Photo: Jennifer Rowsom)

The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) union have merged to create Unifor. It represents 300,000 workers in industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare. It's now the largest private sector union in Canada.

At its founding convention, members elected a veteran union man as its leader- Jerry Dias.

"Today is really about changing the debate and the discussions in Canada. It's about changing the discussion about workers and workers somehow having to accept less. Today is about changing the status quo. And today is about making sure that the governments have a formidable foe if in fact they decide that they are going to take on the trade movement".Jerry Dias, Unifor President
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Jerry Dias says he's ready to fight the anti-union legislation passed by the government because he believes that by merging CAW and CEP, Unifor is in a strong position to invest in union organization and has a duty to represent those that are marginalized and unprotected. Jerry Dias joined us in our Toronto studio.


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This segment was produced by The Current's Sujata Berry.

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