Jodi Nesbitt receives what many consider to be the highest honor in Windsor’s work

Each year, the Windsor & District Labor Council and local United Way honor an individual who has made a significant impact on the community.

They present the Charles E. Brooks Labor Community Service Award.

It is named after the late Charlie Brooks, as he was known.

Brooks was the founding father of UAW Local 444. He remained president from 1956 to 1977. That was the year he was shot and killed by an angry union leader in his Windsor office.

Brooks is seen in labor circles as a champion of wages, benefits and a pioneer in drug, hospital and dental coverage.

In a social media post from current Unifor Local 444, he was also seen as a key player in the United Way’s payroll deduction campaign and a strong advocate for social housing and green spaces in the region of Windsor.

Jodi Nesbitt is the 2024 recipient of the Charlie Brooks Award.

She will receive it at a ceremony hosted by the labor council at the Ciociaro Club in Tecumseh Thursday evening.

Nesbitt is the president of Unifor Local 240, a local that represents a diverse group of workers in places ranging from the Windsor Salt Mine and GreenShield to The Bay and Freeds clothing stores.

Nesbitt spent 30 years in the labor movement.

She says her passion began as a young single mother when she realized access to affordable child care didn’t exist.

“It really made things difficult,” she told CBC radio. Windsor Morning host Amy Dodge.

“I remember feeling very frustrated and thinking, ‘How can I change this?’ Gary Parent allowed me, as a young woman, to come and speak to the labor council… And I think that inspired me that we can make changes.

According to Nesbitt, she is lucky to receive this award.

“I feel very honored to be named this year’s recipient based on previous recipients — being in the same field as Gary Parent, Ken Lewenza, Rick Reaume, June Muir…I’m very, very honored.”

Although she didn’t cross paths with Brooks before his death, Nesbitt says she is well aware of the importance he played in the Canadian labor movement.

“I’ve learned a lot about Charlie over the years and the crucial role he played in our community championing GreenShield, the prepaid service. I am also fortunate to represent his son and daughter as president of Local 240. law.”

Like those she mentioned who came before her, Nesbitt hopes to serve as a role model for others in the future.

With her at the helm of the local union, Unifor Local 240 has seen strikes over the past year in two of its largest memberships: Windsor Salt and GreenShield.

She says both rounds of negotiations were stressful for being a central part of it.

You have people’s lives on your shoulders.– Jodi Nesbitt, President of Unifor Local 240

“You have people’s lives on your shoulders. It was very difficult behind the scenes because you also have to be out there and see the members and see how it affects them.”

However, Nesbitt says it also inspired her to see so many members coming together.

“I learned that these strikes fuel the fire to mobilize members. We were able to see people come together in a way I’ve never seen in terms of mutual support and solidarity. on the picket lines during some of the most difficult times. »

Nesbitt says one of his biggest concerns is the retail industry and how technology continues to evolve within it.

“It’s about online shopping and Amazon’s competitiveness, so for our retail sectors, that’s where I see the challenges.”

She also adds that it remains difficult to actively involve people within their union.

“Until you need to get involved, a lot of people don’t understand the importance of getting involved in the union.”