Latest news with #BuzzHargrove
CTV News
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
‘He's an icon': Windsor union leaders pay tribute to Buzz Hargrove
The labour community is mourning the loss of former CAW president Buzz Hargrove. CTV Windsor's Michelle Maluske explains. The former national President of the Canadian Auto Workers has died at 81 years of age. 'He's an icon,' Unifor Local 200 President John D'Agnolo said Monday. 'There's no doubt in my mind he set the benchmark.' D'Agnolo sees Hargrove's legacy as his work when Canadian union leaders separated from the United Auto Workers Union in the late 1980's. 'Think about all the decisions that had to be made? He played an integral role to make sure that the auto industry was taken care of,' D'Agnolo said. In the late 80's, Hargrove was one of two assistants to Robert White, who spearheaded the creation of the Canadian Auto Workers union. The National Film Board of Canada produced a film about the reasons and the fight for a Canadian union in the documentary, 'Final Offer.' 'Buzz made pensions a priority,' Ken Lewenza Sr. told Am800's Mornings with Mike and Meg on Monday. 'He did it for two reasons. If we can improve pensions for workers and allow them a decent quality of life, it will open up opportunities for new members.' Lewenza Sr. said he last saw Hargrove on Saturday but would not elaborate. 'We did have an opportunity to, in a very light way, in a very painful way, share some stories,' Lewenza Sr. added. He became National President of the CAW when Hargrove retired in 2008. 'There is no replacing Buzz Hargrove,' Lewenza Sr. said at the time. Influence beyond auto Union leaders – outside of the automotive sector – are too celebrating Hargrove. 'I remember he really was loud and clear about the connection between private and public union jobs,' Brian Hogan told CTV News Monday. 'We need a good (private) economy to be able to take care of the public services and public workers that take care of Ontario.' He is the former President of the Windsor and District Labour Council, and a former union leader with Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association. Hogan recalls driving to Toronto to rally against then Premier Mike Harris' cuts to education. 'We got off the bus and there he was. He met the teachers. He knew the connection. And so, to see a leader like him, to take the time to be out there for us again, as I said, it was about the workers,' Hogan reflects. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens issued a statement today regarding Hargrove's passing. On behalf of City Council and the entire community, our thoughts go out to the loved ones and former colleagues of Mr. Buzz Hargrove, as they face this tremendous loss. Throughout his life and his career, particularly through his time as president of CAW, he advocated for the workers who strived to put Windsor on the map as the Automotive Capital of Canada and helped to keep us there. Today, Windsor is one of the most important communities to watch in Ontario and Canada. We are experiencing a period of unprecedented growth and development that is centered around our proud automotive manufacturing history and the evolution of the sector to meet the needs of the moment. Buzz was a key player in the story that has shaped our city, and he will be remembered for a lifetime of service to others and to his community. — Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens Big 3 condolences CTV News reached out to officials with the 'Big 3' automakers for reaction to Hargrove's death. Stellantis: 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Buzz Hargrove, who was a tireless advocate for the community, the country and the labour movement in Canada. His life's work was dedicated to fighting for justice, equality and dignity for all workers. He leaves behind an incredible legacy that has inspired countless individuals today and for generations to come. Stellantis extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Hargrove.' Ford Motor Company: 'All of us at Ford of Canada are deeply saddened by the passing of Buzz Hargrove. Buzz was a formidable leader and a steadfast champion for workers' rights. His contributions to the automotive industry were many, and his unwavering commitment to workers has left an indelible mark. Buzz's leadership during his tenure at the Canadian Auto Workers union was instrumental in shaping the landscape of labour relations in Canada. His negotiation and collaboration skills were a testament to his dedication to his position, and his legacy will continue to inspire for years to come. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Buzz's family, friends, and colleagues.' General Motors: 'We are saddened to learn of the passing of Buzz Hargrove and honour his legacy of supporting Canadian auto workers. Our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.'
National Post
16-06-2025
- General
- National Post
Jerry Dias: Buzz Hargrove was a true rank-and-file union president
When Buzz Hargrove spoke, you listened. He was an electric public speaker that drove his message through compassion and wisdom. He could carry the room with his knowledge. Article content He would never ask you to do anything he wasn't prepared to do himself. He led more plant occupations and corporate dust-ups than anyone in the country. He knew how to win and gave us all the confidence to fight against great odds. 'You can't win if you are not prepared to fight,' he would often say. Article content Article content Article content I was fortunate to have a front row seat as one of Buzz's assistant's in the final years of his presidency of the Canadian Auto Workers. I was able to watch the master in action. He was brilliant in battle but compassionate and articulate in life. Article content Article content He understood that the most important role of the union was how we impacted the lives of the rank and file through collective bargaining. With that in mind, Buzz was the best. He knew better than anyone that our collective solidarity fused together as one, created unlimited strength. When facing the pillars of the corporate community, he was like a pit bull terrier with an abscessed tooth. Brains and brawn that drove success regardless of the situation. Article content He really was a legend respected by all whose lives he touched. Article content Buzz above all was a rank and file leader. He came from the shop floor and was proud of it. His working class roots are what defined him. He would often say that you can't build a union surrounded by lawyers and academics. They had a role but they just couldn't lead it. He believed that the rank and file's heart and soul was the foundation on which to build. Article content
Forbes
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
A Canadian Auto Union Leader Realized Media, Communication Important
Buzz Hargrove, former president of the Canadian Auto Workers union Over the weekend, Basil 'Buzz' Hargrove, 81, died. He was the president of the Canadian Auto Workers union from 1992 to 2008. His passing was announced by Unifor, the successor organization to the CAW. The CAW originally was part of the Detroit-based United Auto Workers union. The Canadian union broke away after disagreements with the Detroit union. Hargrove struck a much different done than the UAW. Buzz Hargrove embraced being a public figure. By the 1980s, UAW chiefs were much more low key. Some UAW chiefs, such as Steve Yokich (1994 to 2002) and Ron Gettelfinger (2002 to 2010) were openly hostile to journalists. Hargrove followed a different path. In 2002 and 2005, I covered the CAW's labor talks with the Detroit-based automakers. For each round of negotiations, the Canadian union rented space at three different Toronto hotels. If a reporter could secure a room at the respective hotels, you could wander up to the CAW offices and chat with the union staff. Buzz Hargrove also viewed the press as a means to get his message out. He would come down to the press room at each hotel and conduct a press conference. More importantly, once the union reached an agreement with each automaker, the CAW viewed reporters as a way to reveal contract details prior to a ratification vote – pay, benefits, the fate of certain factories. Across the border? The UAW (at least during the Yokich and Gettelfinger eras) viewed reporters as the enemy. There were no details to be revealed about contract details until members voted. The UAW wanted complete control. There were times when Buzz Hargrove surprised those he negotiated with. In one of the talks I covered, reporters were summoned where the CAW and Ford would have a statement. Reporters were told no formal announcement was coming. Once the event started, Hargrove said an announcement had been reached. The Ford Canadian executive clearly had been caught by surprise. But what could she do? She confirmed both sides had an accord. In 2008, Hargrove's final year as CAW chief, the union leader had one last surprise. The Detroit automakers suffered from severe financial problems. The CAW had reached a new labor contract with Ford. A surprise announcement followed, ahead of negotiations with the other two members of the Detroit Three. Two years ago, the UAW went on strike against all of the Detroit automakers. Things had definitely changed. Current UAW chief Shawn Fain utilized livestreams and other methods of staying in touch with union members.
CTV News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Former Canadian labour leader Buzz Hargrove dies at age 81
Former Canadian labour leader Buzz Hargrove dies at age 81 Buzz Hargrove was national president of the CAW from 1992 until his retirement in 2008.
Ottawa Citizen
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Ottawa Citizen
Former Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove has died
TORONTO — Canada's largest private-sector union says former Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove has died. Article content In a statement Sunday, Unifor says Basil 'Buzz' Hargrove was 'a beloved and iconic figure in Canada's labour movement' who 'was a tireless advocate for working people and a deeply respected leader.' Article content Article content Hargrove was national president of the CAW from 1992 until his retirement in 2008, shortly before he reached the union's mandatory retirement age of 65. Article content Article content The CAW merged with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union in 2013 to become Unifor. Article content Article content Born in Bath, N.B., in 1944, Hargrove grew up in a family of 10 children and began his working life on the shop floor of Chrysler's Windsor, Ont., assembly plant, Unifor says. Article content As CAW president, he led negotiations with major employers including General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Air Canada and CN Rail, securing gains that elevated standards across sectors. Article content 'He never forgot where he came from — and he carried that working-class spirit with him into every boardroom, bargaining session and public forum,' said Unifor National President Lana Payne in the union's statement. 'His passion, his intellect, and his uncompromising belief in justice for working people shaped the labour movement we know today.' Article content Hargrove took over leadership of the CAW from Bob White, who led the union as it split from the U.S.-based United Auto Workers in 1985. Article content Article content The Canadian union, which disagreed with the UAW's bargaining direction, negotiated some of the richest contracts for workers in Canada, and under Hargrove's leadership it expanded beyond the auto industry into other sectors, including airlines, mines and fisheries. Article content Article content Unifor said that Hargrove was 'a committed social unionist,' and pushed the CAW to fight for broader social justice issues including public health care, retirement security, equity, and fair trade. Article content 'We owe him a debt of gratitude for everything he did to build a fairer Canada,' Payne added. Article content Hargrove told reporters upon his retirement that he wasn't planning on taking it easy. Article content 'I'm not going to sit in a rocking chair and I'm not going to play golf, that's not my style,' Hargrove said at a news conference in Toronto in 2008. Article content His later activities included over a year with the NHL Players' Association, working first on the union's advisory board and then as interim ombudsman. He also served as director of the Centre for Labour Management Relations at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. Article content Hargrove was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008. Article content
