January 17 marks the 40th anniversary of the death of local labour icon Charlie Brooks and the head of Unifor Local 444 says his legacy lives on.
Brooks, who was president of the United Auto Workers Local 444, was shot to death in his office on this day in 1977, by a disgruntled member of the union.
Brooks became the leader of the union local in 1956 and served in that capacity until his death. He was a key player in the formation of the Canadian Auto Workers union years after his death in 1985. That union later changed its name to Unifor.
He used his power as president to improve social programs including health care, education, income support plans and affordable housing programs. As an avid supporter of the United Way, he led by personal example and helped raise labour participation, an effort that continues to be felt in Windsor to this day.
Dino Chiodo, president of Unifor Local 444, was just 6 years old at the time, but says Brooks has had a powerful influence on him.
"I've always heard the stories of Charlie, what he has done and what he was involved with," says Chiodo. "I always thought, wow he would have been a great man to meet just to try and listen to and hear the wisdom and the ideologies behind some of the thoughts."
When asked about whether he believes Brooks' legacy is threatened in an age when governments continue to outsource employment, Chiodo used the opportunity to comment on city council's decision Monday night to contract out janitorial services at Huron Lodge, the city's long-term care facility.
"Unfortunately, we have a council and a mayor currently that believes that even though things are relatively going well -- they believe that if you continue to cut it's the direction to go," says Chiodo. "It would be nice for them to be on the outside looking in without a job at some point so they could recognize some of the pain and the suffering that they cause."
However, Chiodo also believes the current trend towards ever leaner budgets will eventually turn around.
"[City council is] using the old tactics that I think that people are used to seeing," he says. "But, I think they're getting old, and I think people are starting to recognize that."