When we ended our last post we were talking about the Disingenous Dr.
Disingenuous is defined as “Not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating” or “Pretending to be unaware or unsophisticated.” Furthermore, the Merriam Webster dictionary under the heading “Did You Know?” states: "A disingenuous remark might contain some superficial truth, but it is delivered with the intent to deceive or to serve some hidden purpose." With that in mind, let’s examine how our National President is handling the firestorm surrounding his response to vaccine mandates.
In an Oct. 15, 2021 article in the Windsor Star titled “Auto Companies Implementing Vaccine Mandate; Employees Must Have Two Shots By Mid December Or Face Termination”, the National President was quoted as saying “It’s not for me to say whether this is right or wrong…” referring to the vaccine mandates, (italics ours.)
Excuse us for being incredulous but the President has an opinion on everything. Why not this issue? In our last post we talked about our National President and his Executive Board mandating vaccines for their staff and coordinators. Evidently, he thinks the mandate is right "in house" but then goes to the press and lies to the membership claiming it's not for him to say. How else can you interpret this? Does our President have an opinion on a woman’s right to abortion? As a matter of fact he does and its’ encapsulated in the statement "my body, my choice" but Dr. Dias, who advocates for a woman’s right to choose her own medical procedures, denies you that same choice. So now when it comes to an unwanted, unwelcome and forced medical procedure via needle after needle after needle after needle, its not right for the President of our National Union to weigh in on the subject and go on record whether it be right or wrong? Disingenuous? We leave that to you to make that determination.
In a Sept. 10, 2021 article in the Canadian press titled “Growing Vaccine Mandates Reveals Split In Labour Movement,” it states in the very first line “The head of Canada's largest private sector labour union has a blunt message for Unifor staff: Get vaccinated or find another job. But it's not for him to say whether it's right or wrong. Disingenuous? We leave that to you to make that determination.
In another Sept. 10, 2021 article in the Toronto Star titled "Unifor Head Supports Vaccine Mandates", the National President is quoted as being especially baffled by a real union response to vaccine mandates. President of the Amalgamated Transit Union 113, Carlos Santos, described TTC's policy as “an unfair and unjust intrusion into the lives of our members.” Jerry Dias is baffled by this? The title of the article itself tells you whether Dr. Dias thinks its right or wrong, yet he lies to the membership on Oct 15th saying it’s not his place to say. Many other inconsistencies can be found in the same article including his statement that “Supporting such policies honours union members who die from Covid-19.” Can he explain how forcing a medical treatment on someone honours a person who tragically died? Can this be defined as disingenuous? We leave that to you to make that determination.
The membership demands a National Union that will fight for what is right. Forcing people to receive, into their bodies, a medical procedure against their will under threat of termination of their livelihood is wrong. A five year old can see this Dr. Dias...why can't you? Perhaps it is time the membership demands a President that commands the respect of the rank-and-file.
Next - Dr. owes nurses an apology.