Basil 'Buzz' Hargrove, former national president of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union from 1992 to 2008, has died. Unifor, the union formed by the merger of CAW and Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, announced his passing, recognizing him as an iconic figure and tireless advocate for working people. Hargrove, who started on the shop floor at Chrysler in Windsor, led significant negotiations with major employers and expanded the union beyond the auto industry, also serving with the NHL Players' Association and Toronto Metropolitan University.
Labour giant, former Canadian Auto Workers head Buzz Hargrove has died
General Motors CompanyCanadaTorontoWindsorNational Hockey League Players' AssociationUniforUnited Auto WorkersBasil "Buzz" HargroveBuzz HargroveChief Executive Rick WagonerPresident Lana PayneRetirementFair tradeFish and shellfish farmingLabour unions
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Basil 'Buzz' Hargrove, former national president of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union from 1992 to 2008, has died. Unifor, the union formed by the merger of CAW and Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, announced his passing, recognizing him as an iconic figure and tireless advocate for working people. Hargrove, who started on the shop floor at Chrysler in Windsor, led significant negotiations with major employers and expanded the union beyond the auto industry, also serving with the NHL Players' Association and Toronto Metropolitan University.
Trending- 1 1944: Buzz Hargrove born in Bath, N.B.
- 2 1970s: Began working at Chrysler's Windsor assembly plant.
- 3 1985: CAW split from U.S.-based United Auto Workers (UAW) under Bob White.
- 4 1992: Buzz Hargrove became national president of CAW.
- 5 2008: Hargrove retired from CAW; named an Officer of the Order of Canada; began activities with NHL Players' Association and Toronto Metropolitan University.
- 6 2013: CAW merged with Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union to become Unifor.
- 7 Sunday (before article): Buzz Hargrove died.
- 8 June 16, 2025: Unifor announces his death.
- Loss of a significant figure in Canadian labor movement
- Tributes and recognition of his legacy
What: Basil 'Buzz' Hargrove, former national president of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union, has died.
When: Died on Sunday (before article publication on June 16, 2025).
Where: Canada (Bath, N.B.; Windsor, Ont.; Toronto).
Why: Natural causes (implied, as no cause of death is given, and he was 81).
How: Unifor announced his passing, recognizing his significant contributions to the Canadian labor movement.