Jodi Nesbitt is receiving what many consider to be Windsor's top labour award

Every year, the Windsor and District Labour Council, and the local United Way, honour someone who has had a significant impact on the community.

They give out the Charles E. Brooks Labour Community Service Award.

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

Brooks was the founding father of UAW Local 444. He remained as its president from 1956 until 1977. That's the year he was shot and killed by an angry union member in his Windsor office.

Charlie Brooks was killed at his union office in 1977 in Windsor, Ont. (CBC)

Brooks has been referred to in union circles as a champion for wages, benefits and a pioneer for drug, hospital and dental coverage.

In a social media post by the now Unifor Local 444, he was also seen as instrumental in the United Way's payroll deduction campaign, and a strong advocate for social housing and green space in the Windsor-area.

The UAW building where Charlie Brooks was killed in 1977. (CBC)

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

She'll receive it at a ceremony put on by the labour council at the Ciociaro Club in Tecumseh Thursday night.

Nesbitt is the president for 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 store.

Nesbitt has spent 30 years in the labour movement.

She says her passion began as a young single mom when she realized that access to affordable childcare didn't exist.

"It really made it difficult," she told CBC Radio Windsor Morning host Amy Dodge.

"I remember just feeling so frustrated and thinking, 'How can I change this?' Gary Parent allowed me as this young woman to come to the labour council to speak ... And I think that inspired me that you can make change."

According to Nesbitt, she's fortunate to be given the award.

"I feel so honoured to be named this year's recipient based on the past recipients — being in the same realm as Gary Parent, Ken Lewenza, Rick Reaume, June Muir ... I'm very, very honoured."

Despite not having crossed over with Brooks before his death, Nesbitt says she's well aware of how instrumental he was in Canada's labour movement.

"I've learned so much about Charlie throughout the years and how pivotal he has been to our community in advocating for GreenShield, the prepaid service. I'm also fortunate enough to represent as president of Local 240 his son and daughter-in-law."

Jodi Nesbitt, president of Unifor Local 240, speaks at a rally for Windsor Salt workers when they were on strike in June, 2023. (Dax Melmer/CBC)

Like those she mentioned that 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 within the past year or so at two of its largest memberships: Windsor Salt and GreenShield.

She says both sets of negotiations were stressful to be a central part of.

"You've got people's lives on your shoulders. It was very difficult behind the scenes because you also have to still be out and seeing the members and seeing how it's affecting them."

However, Nesbitt says it also inspired her seeing so many members unite.

"I've learned that it fuels the fire to mobilize members through these strikes. We've been able to see people come together in ways that I've never seen in terms of watching people support one another and stand side-by-side on picket lines during some of the most difficult times."

Nesbitt speaks at a rally for Windsor Salt workers when they were off the job in 2023. (Dax Melmer/CBC)

Nesbitt says one key concern she has moving forward involves the retail sector and how technology continues to evolve within it.

"It's the online shopping and the competitiveness of Amazons and that, so for our retail sectors that's where I see the challenges."

She also says getting people actively involved within their unions also continues to be difficult.

"Until you need to be involved, a lot of people don't understand the importance of being involved in the union."