John Breslin is the Skilled Trades National Director for Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union representing over 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy, including more than 50,000 skilled trades workers and apprentices across Canada working in over 20 sectors.
He leads several initiatives in concert with Presidents of Unifor locals in various sectors including automotive assembly and parts, rail, mining, aerospace, hospitality and gaming, education, shipbuilding, fisheries, forestry, energy, and communications. He provides support to members, bargaining committees and national representatives regarding skilled trades related issues. John is a strong supporter of the “Women in Skilled Trades Program” that helps to promote women and underrepresented groups to have access to a career in skilled trades. He works with all levels of the federal and provincial governments, stakeholders and educational institutions to advance the profile of skilled trades across Canada. John worked at the Chrysler (now Stellantis) assembly plant in Brampton and served in various capacities including Skilled Trades Chair, and participated in the mergers of Daimler and Chrysler, and Fiat Chrysler.
John began his apprenticeship as a mechanical fitter with the British Steel Corporation in Scotland and became certified as an industrial mechanic millwright after immigrating to Canada. He is a Director on the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s Board and is a member of the Conference Board of Canada’s Experiential Learning Research Advisory Board.