Black History Month: "Work Smart, Work Hard" Is Jimmy Settles' Motto

WWJ Newsradio 950 is celebrating Black History Month with stories of everyday heroes

DETROIT (WWJ) - "Work smart and work hard" is the philosophy for the third term UAW Ford Vice President Jimmy Settles, Jr. — who has been standing up for workers for over 30 years.

Settles started out with Ford Motor Company working in a foundry.

"I'll never forget that first paycheck," Settles told WWJ's Stephanie Davis. "I had more money in my hand than I ever had in my life; but, also, more so than the money at the foundry, it was predominately minorities working there —African Americans, Pols, Russians, etc. — but it was really like a real family, there.

In addition to contract talks and representing his membership, Settles says his job is let others know about the impact of the union in the community.

"Definitely, within Ford, we have changed the culture and people love it, the communities love it, and we are doing things in the community that we never have done before," Settles said.

Settles even started his own charitable foundation: the JUST Foundation for young people.

"We have two major fundraisers a year. One is a charity ball, that's just outstanding, and a golf outing that I get great participation...have pretty close to 500 golfers out," he said. "And we just help people."