Derik McArthur began his career with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union after graduation from Confederation College with dual diplomas in Human Resources and Human Resources Management. Prior to attending college, he was an active member of the Canadian Forces Army Reserve working as a full-time Infantry Soldier.

His professional career began as an organizer with the union that included work throughout Canada and the United States. He progressed through the organization and was reassigned to member service where his responsibilities focused on grievance settlements and collective bargaining. In 2005, he was elected as president, RWDSU Canada, and as RWDSU International vice-president/Canadian director. The following year, he was elected to international vice-president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union – a union that represents 1.4 million members in North America.

In addition to his positions in the union, Derik sits on the Employment Insurance Board of Referees, and hears appeals from EI applicants that have been denied Employment Insurance benefits.

Derik is active in the community and is a founder of the Home for a Hero Project – an initiative that raised over $300,000 for a triple-amputee Sudbury solider coming out of Afghanistan. He also sits on the Confederation College Foundation Board of Directors and through the union, became Chair of the RWDSU Leukemia Fundraising Campaign.

More recently, Derik was invited to sit on the Board of Directors for the Sudbury and District Food Bank.

Outside his professional interests, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children and continues to enjoy working as an army reservist and infantry solider with the 2nd Battalion Irish Regiment of Canada.

Derik has completed his Organization Development, Labour Relations, and Organizational Capacity Certificates from Queen's IRC. In addition to the IRC, Derik is currently enrolled at Royal Roads University completing a BA in Justice Studies.

Derik presents at the following IRC program(s): Labour Relations Foundations