Days after negotiating a difficult contract at a auto supply plant in Lakeshore, the President of Unifor Local 195 has announced he's retiring.
Gerry Farnham is stepping down from his union job but will not be sitting still in retirement as he plans to begin a new career as an addiction counsellor.
"I've never kept it a secret that I've been 25 years in recovery," says Farnham, who was approach by officials at the Brentwood Recovery Home. "I was offered a job that I am going to. I've decided, that talking with my wife, that I'm not the kind of guy who is just going to sit around, it's not what I do."
Farnham has been in school the past year, taking courses, to prepare for his new job.
He says one reason he's taking on the role at Brentwood is because he's been doing the work informally for years. "Quite a few members, whether from Local 195 or other local unions as well as our affiliate unions, have knocked on my door. People going through some difficulties in their life have knocked on my door and I've been able to assist."
Farnham says he's been in the labour movement for 32 years in various roles, from shop steward to union president, and knew it was time to hand over the reins.
Local 195 Vice President John Toth has been elected to replace Farnham, who turns 59 in July.