Former faculty association president honoured for labour activism

Calling it the “pinnacle award for labour” in Windsor-Essex, creative arts professor Brian E. Brown says he is humbled to have been selected as the 2016 recipient of the Charles E. Brooks Community Service Award.

Brian E. BrownA former president of the Windsor University Faculty Association and the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, Brown will receive the honour from the United Way and the Windsor and District Labour Council at a celebratory dinner November 18.

“I am a firm believer in working together with union leaders, administrators, students and the broader community in resolving the many issues facing all of us in today’s society,” Brown says. “Resolutions are always there, it is just a matter of how we choose to arrive.”

The award is named for the founding president of Local 444, which represents Windsor Chrysler employees—originally the United Auto Workers and now Unifor. The union’s current president Dino Chiodo and Chris Taylor of Unifor Local 200 joined nursing professor Judy Bornais in nominating Brown.

“Brian’s leadership and desire to support, defend and improve the rights of workers extends beyond his local union, beyond the university and even beyond the province,” Bornais says. “I am thrilled that his dedication and service has been recognized by winning this prestigious award.”

Read more, including details on tickets to attend the November 18 Labour Appreciation Night, on the faculty association website.