Latest news with #Local444
CBC
5 days ago
- Automotive
- CBC
Labour giant, former Canadian Auto Workers head Buzz Hargrove has died
Social Sharing Canada's largest private-sector union says former Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove has died. He was 81. 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. "A proud son of Local 444 and one of Canada's most influential and passionate labour leaders," he was described as in a social media post by Unifor Local 444 on Sunday. "Buzz's journey began right here in Windsor, on the shop floor, where he first found his voice in the fight for fairness. From Local 444 to the national stage, he never stopped pushing for justice — for working people, for equity, for dignity in the workplace," said the statement by the local union. 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, Ont., 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. "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. 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. WATCH | Hargrove on previous NHL labour talks: Hargrove on NHL labour talks 13 years ago Duration 5:37 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.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Former labour leader passes away
CAW President Buzz Hargrove leaves his table during a news conference in Toronto on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. (J.P. Moczulski / THE CANADIAN PRESS) According to a post on social media, former CAW leader Buzz Hargrove has died. 'A proud Local 444 member who rose to lead the CAW and shape Canada's labour movement,' read the post. Hargrove first became involved in the automotive sector as a line worker for the Chrysler assembly plant in Windsor and succeeded Bob White as president of the CAW in 1992. More details to come.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Positive news for local feeder plants as Windsor Assembly returns to regular production early
Positive news for local feeder plants as the Windsor Assembly Plant returns to two shifts sooner than expected. Unifor Local 195 President Emile Nabbout said while there is still anxiety about the future, that this is a win for his members. In early May it was announced that there would be alternating and fluctuating work schedules at the Windsor Assembly Plant for 12 weeks. It was also announced that the addition of a third shift at Windsor Assembly has been postponed until 2026. The two shifts weren't set to return to full production until June 30, however, it was announced earlier this week by Unifor Local 444 that they would return to full operation by June 23. Some workers that Local 195 represents were affected by the fluctuating work schedules, with some week-to-week shutdowns, or only skeleton crews working in the feeder plants during that time period. Nabbout said reductions to shifts at Windsor Assembly caused reductions to shifts at the feeder plants as well. 'Whether we run a skeleton crew, it depends on each facility, or they reduce the shift operation, or reduce the number of the people. So, each facility is doing their own thing, but the end result is that there is an impact when there is a reduction in shifts.' He said there is still high levels of anxiety due to tariffs. 'Since November of last year, the concern remains the same, as everybody knows prior to November of last year we were hoping that we'd have Windsor Assembly Plant running three shifts, not two shift operations, and everything changed so quickly. There is a drastic impact on our members, on the community, on everybody.' Nabbout said they have to take little wins where they can. 'Boost the moral and continue being positive. And we're going to continue working with all stakeholders, from government, to investors, to corporations, to make sure that we are on the right track to preserve all the work here and protect Canadian jobs.' Local 195 represented approximately 800 members. Unifor Local 444 represents 4,500 workers at the assembly plant and 1,250 workers at area feeder plants. The Windsor Assembly Plant is home to the Chrysler Pacifica minivan and the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona. - Written by Meagan Delaurier/AM800 News.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Windsor Assembly returning to regular production ahead of schedule
Windsor Assembly Plant seen in Windsor, Ont. on April 3, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Two shift production is set to return to Windsor Assembly sooner than expected, according to the union representing workers at the Stellantis plant. On Wednesday, Unifor Local 444 updated its members through its social media pages full two shift operation would return on June 23. The automaker had put the workforce on alternating layoffs, in part, pointing to the economic uncertainty created by new U.S. tariffs brought in by the White House. All workers weren't set to return to full production until June 30, according to a union schedule. CTV News has reached out to Stellantis for comment.
