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CTV News
6 days ago
- 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
6 days ago
- 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
Toronto Star
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Toronto Star
Buzz Hargrove, longtime Canadian labour leader, dies at 81
Basil 'Buzz' Hargrove, the uncompromising Canadian labour leader who spent more than 16 years at the helm of the Canadian Auto Workers and helped define an era of working-class advocacy in the country, has died at age 81. Hargrove's career spanned more than four decades, rising from the shop floor of Chrysler's Windsor Assembly Plant to become national president of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), a position he held from 1992 until his retirement in 2008. Under his leadership, CAW membership expanded well beyond auto manufacturing, into railways, mining, fisheries and airlines.
Toronto Sun
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Toronto Sun
Unifor says former Canadian Auto Workers president Hargrove has died
Published Jun 15, 2025 • 2 minute read Canada's largest private-sector union says former Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove has died. Photo by Toronto Sun files Canada's largest private-sector union says former Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove has died. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 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.' 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. The CAW merged with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union in 2013 to become Unifor. Born in Bath, N.B., in 1944, Unifor says Hargrove grew up in a family of 10 children and began his working life on the shop floor of Chrysler's Windsor assembly plant. As CAW president, Unifor says he led negotiations with major employers including General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Air Canada and CN Rail, securing gains that elevated standards across sectors. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. '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.' 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. 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 the airlines, mines and fisheries. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. 'We owe him a debt of gratitude for everything he did to build a fairer Canada,' Payne added. Hargrove told reporters upon his retirement that he wasn't planning on taking it easy. '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. 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. Hargrove was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 2008. Unifor said details on a celebration of his life and legacy will be shared in the coming days. Sports Toronto & GTA Canada Relationships Sunshine Girls
Globe and Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Unifor mourns the loss of Buzz Hargrove, tireless champion of workers' rights
TORONTO, June 15, 2025 /CNW/ - Unifor is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Basil "Buzz" Hargrove, a beloved and iconic figure in Canada's labour movement. As National President of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) from 1992 until his retirement in 2008, Buzz was a tireless advocate for working people and a deeply respected leader whose impact will be felt for generations.
