Basil "Buzz" Hargrove, the former national president of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union, has died. Unifor, Canada's largest private-sector union, announced his passing, recognizing him as a beloved and iconic figure in Canada’s labour movement and a tireless advocate for working people. Hargrove led the CAW from 1992 until his retirement in 2008, expanding the union's reach beyond the auto industry and securing significant gains for workers. He was also involved with the NHL Players' Association and Toronto Metropolitan University, and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008.
Former Canadian Auto Workers president Basil ‘Buzz’ Hargrove has died, Unifor says
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Basil "Buzz" Hargrove, the former national president of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union, has died. Unifor, Canada's largest private-sector union, announced his passing, recognizing him as a beloved and iconic figure in Canada’s labour movement and a tireless advocate for working people. Hargrove led the CAW from 1992 until his retirement in 2008, expanding the union's reach beyond the auto industry and securing significant gains for workers. He was also involved with the NHL Players' Association and Toronto Metropolitan University, and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008.
- 1 1944: Basil 'Buzz' Hargrove born in Bath, N.B.
- 2 Began working life on the shop floor of Chrysler’s Windsor, Ont., assembly plant
- 3 1985: CAW splits from UAW (under Bob White's leadership)
- 4 1992-2008: Hargrove serves as national president of the CAW
- 5 2008: Hargrove retires from CAW, named an Officer of the Order of Canada
- 6 After 2008: Served with the NHL Players’ Association and as director at the Centre for Labour Management Relations at Toronto Metropolitan University
- 7 2013: CAW merges with Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union to become Unifor
- 8 Sunday, June 15, 2025: Basil 'Buzz' Hargrove dies
- Loss of a significant figure in Canada's labour movement
- Unifor will share details on a celebration of his life and legacy
What: Basil "Buzz" Hargrove, former national president of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union, has passed away.
When: Announced Sunday (June 15, 2025).
Where: Canada (born in Bath, N.B.; worked in Windsor, Ont.; held news conference in Toronto).
Why: Natural causes (implied, as no specific cause of death was mentioned for the 80-year-old former leader).