Months after former Unifor president Jerry Dias quit, investigation finds he accepted $50,000 to promote a provider of rapid COVID-19 tests to employers. 19.
It was following the reading of the Unifor commission’s investigation report in a private meeting that the union announced that Jerry Dias would have violated the union constitution by accepting this payment. Several employers would have bought the kits recommended by the latter.
According to a statement made to the Globe and Mail, Unifor will not release further information on the matter until Mr. Dias’ hearing has taken place. This could begin as early as April, however, the union said.
The investigation report reveals that the former president of Unifor would also have taken with him two colleagues, namely Chris MacDonald and Scott Doherty.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Mr. Dias allegedly called his assistant, Chris MacDonald, to his office on January 20 and an envelope containing $25,000 in cash and two bottles of personalized cologne was allegedly placed on the office of the former union president.
According to the report, Mr MacDonald tried to resist his boss’s bribe, but bowed to the latter’s pressure.
Remember that Jerry Dias was on medical leave for several weeks before resigning for health reasons on March 11. In a public statement, he announced that he had been admitted to a rehabilitation center for substance abuse issues, including excessive consumption of alcohol and painkillers to treat a sciatic nerve. According to him, his addiction problem has impaired his judgment in recent months.
For his part, Mr. Doherty announced his retirement in March after submitting his candidacy in February to succeed Jerry Dias as president.