Charles E. Brooks (1915–1977) was a

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

labour union A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits ( ...

activist, the first president of the

United Auto Workers The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Auto Workers (UAW), is an American labor union that represents workers in the United States (including Puerto Rico ...

Local 444, who was assassinated by an upset employee of

Chrysler Motors Stellantis North America (officially FCA US and formerly Chrysler ()) is one of the " Big Three" automobile manufacturers in the United States, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is the American subsidiary of the multinational automoti ...

. Brooks was born in

Windsor, Ontario Windsor is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, on the south bank of the Detroit River directly across from Detroit, Michigan, United States. Geographically located within but administratively independent of Essex County, it is the souther ...

. Growing up during the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

, he witnessed first-hand the devastation that the Windsor citizens endured at that time, and these experiences brought him into the trade union movement.Mundy, Jim
"Les Dickirson receives 2007 Charles E. Brooks Labour Community Service Award"
, 27 October 2007.

CAW Local 444

Brooks played a key role in the foundation of

CAW Local 444 CAW may refer to: * Canadian Auto Workers, a Canadian large and high profile social union * Carbon arc welding, a process which produces coalescence of metals by heating them with an arc between a nonconsumable carbon electrode and the work-piece ...

, one of the largest locals of the United Auto Workers in Canada. He served as its president for 21 years, from 1956 until his death in 1977, during which time he fought for greater wages and benefits for Chrysler workers. This helped to improve the quality of life and standard of living in Windsor, which was a city that was economically fuelled by the Chrysler,

Ford Ford commonly refers to: * Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford * Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river Ford may also refer to: Ford Motor Company * Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company * Ford F ...

and

General Motors The General Motors Company (GM) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is the largest automaker in the United States and ...

plants located in the city. After his death, Local 444 became part of the

Canadian Auto Workers The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW; formally the National Automobile, Aerospace, Transportation and General Workers Union of Canada) was one of Canada's largest and highest profile labour unions. In 2013, it merged with the Communications, Energy and ...

in 1985.

Social programs

Brooks also focused much of his time as president pushing social programs as funded by the government including health care, education, housing programs and income support plans. Brooks was instrumental in introducing drug plans through Green Shield and coverage through S. & A. Windsor Medical and Ontario Hospital Plan"The Walkerville-Chrysler Connection"
''The Walkerville Times'' In addition to these programs, he was also an avid supporter of the

United Way United Way is an international network of over 1,800 local nonprofit fundraising affiliates. United Way was the largest nonprofit organization in the United States by donations from the public, prior to 2016. United Way organizations raise funds ...

charity organization. Brooks led by personal example and helped raise labour participation to a higher level than anywhere else in Canada.

Death and legacy

In 1977, Brooks was shot dead by a disgruntled Chrysler worker who was disillusioned when Local 444 was unable to get the man's job back after a third discharge.Gindin, Sa
"The Canadian Auto Workers: The Birth and Transformation of a Union"
, 2007. After his death, Brooks' legacy continues to live on in Windsor-Essex County. The Peace Fountain, located in the

Detroit River The Detroit River flows west and south for from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie as a strait in the Great Lakes system. The river divides the metropolitan areas of Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, Windsor, Ontario—an area collectively refe ...

, was erected in honour of him for his efforts toward world peace. The Charles E. Brooks Labour Community Service Award, which is awarded yearly to a citizen for their work in the community, was also created in memory of Brooks.

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brooks, Charles 1915 births 1977 deaths People from Windsor, Ontario People murdered in Ontario Canadian murder victims Trade unionists from Ontario United Auto Workers people