Payne elected Unifor president

Lana Payne this week was elected national president of Unifor, Canada's largest union in the private sector.

The first woman to serve as Unifor's president, Payne was previously the union's national secretary-treasurer.

Payne is credited with leading efforts to recover the union following an investigation into former National President Jerry Dias, who retired in March and is accused of constitutional breach. She also led recovery efforts throughout the pandemic, Unifor officials said in a press release.

Previously a journalist, Payne is former president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federal of Labor and is Unifor's founding Atlantic regional director.

Len Poirier will succeed Payne as Unifor's secretary-treasurer.