Newfoundlander Lana Payne has been elected as the national president of Unifor.

She’s the first woman to hold the position.

Payne, who previously served as National Secretary-Treasurer of Unifor, defeated Executive Assistant to the President Scott Doherty and Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy for the position.

Payne has championed the need for greater transparency and accountability in the union. She was elected at Unifor’s fourth Constitutional Convention in Toronto on Wednesday.