Ex-union director, political adviser charged

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/12/2016 (3514 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A former director with the United Food and Commercial Workers union, who served as a key adviser to former premier Greg Selinger during his leadership crisis, has been charged with fraud over $5,000.

The union confirmed Monday that Winnipeg police charged Heather Grant-Jury after an investigation into expenses withdrawn from the union’s education, training and trust fund.

“We would like to thank the Winnipeg police for their investigation on this matter. We will be communicating with our members as well as contacting the employers who contribute to the training and trust fund on this issue, but will not be commenting further on the matter until a verdict has been rendered,” UFCW Local 832 president Jeff Traeger said in a news release.

The union said it became aware of irregularities with expense claims in December 2015 and immediately suspended Grant-Jury, who was director of its education and training centre.

She was terminated following an initial investigation. During this period she resigned from her position on the board of Manitoba Public Insurance and from the NDP’s election operations subcommittee as well as all other party positions.

Last February, Selinger and UFCW announced they had cut ties with her.

The union told the Free Press an internal investigation had been launched, but offered no details. 

A forensic audit conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP at the union’s request was completed in the spring and turned over to Winnipeg police.

On Monday, police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen confirmed a 54-year-old woman was arrested Thursday in connection to the report they got from the union.

The union said it will seek restitution.

The union’s website lists companies that employ its members — Loblaws, Great Western Brewery, Brewers Distributor Ltd., and most security companies in Manitoba — and contribute to the fund annually. Employees can take courses and programs, such as English language instruction, which are offered at the training centre for free.

Other UFCW members who take courses pay into the fund on a piecemeal basis.

Grant-Jury became a key ally to Selinger during the cabinet revolt in November 2014. She was seconded, on an emergency basis, from her union position to serve as Selinger’s principal secretary after five cabinet ministers resigned and he needed a loyal adviser.

Grant-Jury remained on the payroll until after the March 8, 2015, leadership vote and returned to the union April 2, 2015.

She also played a key role in the NDP re-election effort until the party cut ties with her in December 2015.

During last spring’s provincial election campaign, the Free Press learned Selinger knew, prior to hiring Grant-Jury, that she had been charged with theft under $5,000 in 2003 when she worked at the former Zellers store on McPhillips Street. The charges were later stayed.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Biidaajimowin | News from the Centre

Wednesdays

Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences.

Sign up for Biidaajimowin | News from the Centre

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

In a prepared statement, the NDP said there is no connection between the current investigation and any government-provided training funds.

Union spokesman Blake Crothers said there is no government money in the fund.

Grant-Jury did not respond to a request for comment.

kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca