From a pandemic to an internal scandal on top of supply disruptions causing mass temporary layoffs, Lana Payne already has seen Canada's largest private sector union through a series of trials.
But the newly elected — and first female — president of Unifor isn't settling down. Supply issues remain a concern. The scandal that prompted former Unifor president Jerry Dias to step down is still a fresh wound. And the union aims to ensure Canada and Canadian autoworkers are central to the electric-vehicle future.
Next year, Unifor and its U.S. counterpart, the United Auto Workers, will negotiate crucial contracts with the Detroit Three automakers during a time when the industry is seeing growth amid challenges. Automakers have remained profitable in spite of the pandemic's supply issues, continuing to spend billions on the EV transition. The unions now have to push to remain relevant when gas and diesel-powered vehicle production phases out.
