Iron Workers, Canadian Union of Public Employees and Co-operative Commonwealth Federation

Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jack White was the first Black hired to work in the Car Department of the CNR (Halifax). He became the first Black representative elected in the Iron Workers Union. After a period as interim Director of Social Services at the Ontario Federation of Labour, Jack was hired as a National Staff Representative by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, one of the first minority members in that position. Alongside Stanley G. Grizzle, the two men were the first Black candidates to run for the Ontario legislature. White would spend over two decades servicing many locals, making a significant contribution in the area of workers’ compensation.