Len Poirier

Elected National Secretary-Treasurer at Unifor’s Constitutional Convention in 2022, Len Poirier formerly served as Assistant to the National President, Director of Road Transportation and long-time national service representative.

Len has led the office of Secretary-Treasurer in undertaking the review and implementation of renewed integrity for the National Union’s policies and procedures. He was an integral part of the Ethics Taskforce which reviewed the Code of Ethics and Democratic Practices with a goal of re-establishing the highest standards of ethical decision-making practices, while cultivating a culture of accountability and transparency. This included the creation and appointment for the position of an Ethics Commissioner. 

Len takes to heart the reality of a National Union being built on strong local unions from coast to coast to coast and continues to assist for Locals to find solutions to strengthen Local Unions for their own successes. 

Poirier first became a professional truck driver at Laidlaw Transport (Laidlaw Waste Systems) in 1986. Elected unit chairperson in 1988, followed by holding various local union executive positions including 3 terms as local president.

Poirier has served as Unifor’s Road/Urban Transport delegate to the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and for many years has sat on the road section steering committee., currently holding the position of Chairperson for Canada.

From 1986 to 1994, he was a member of Canadian Brotherhood of Railway, Transport and General Workers (CBRT & GW), co-founding the Road Transport Council following the merger into the Canadian Autoworkers Union which is still recognized as one of Unifor’s industry councils. 

Poirier was one of the longest serving Board of Directors under the Transport Health and Safety Association of Ontario (THSAO), and with the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association of Ontario (IHSA).

In these roles, he has worked tirelessly to support the needs of the road transportation members of our union and the broader public as well.

Len is an advocate to protect Canadian jobs both in Canada and on a national stage. The industrial strategies and advocacy work Unifor does reaches far beyond the core workplace roles of collective bargaining and representing the membership. With this help, Unifor has become the union advocating for all working Canadians. 

To request an interview with Len Poirier, contact Kathleen O'Keefe. Media outlets can download Poirier's high-res photo here.