By Samir Syed
July 28, 2008 -
Basil "Buzz" Hargrove has been active in the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) since its inception in 1984, including sixteen years as President. To put that in perspective: during Buzz' tenure at the top, he's seen five Canadian Prime Ministers, five Ford CEOs, four Chrysler CEOs, four GM CEOs and countless union actions. As I sift through the archived newsbites that capture his soon-to-be legacy, I'm left a little overwhelmed. For better or worse, Hargrove's fingerprints are all over the Canadian automotive lanscape. And tomorrow, at 11 AM in Toronto, I'm sitting across the table from the man himself on your behalf. So I turn to you, our Best and Brightest, for a little help. What should I ask Buzz Hargrove? Obviously, I can't promise I'll forward every question posed here. But if the deal goes down (i.e. Buzz doesn't read this blog post before tomorrow), you know I won't shy away from the tough questions. And neither will Hargrove.
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July 28th, 2008 at 11:35 am
I’d ask Buzz if he ever heard of British Leyland, Rover, or MG.
Because their experiences with organized labor didn’t turn out so hot. For the laborers or the company.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Does he regret his confrontational approach and looking back think it would have been more successful if the union and the company would have cooperated?
July 28th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Samir,
Buzz won’t shy away from tough questions but its the non-sequitr answers that will obfuscate the truth.
My question: The Ontario Automotive Economy is in bad shape, but truth to tell, would it not be safe to say that it is the unionized Ontario Automotive Economy that is in bad shape? The non-union plants for Toyota and Honda are running flat out and their parts suppliers must be equally happy. What does Buzz say to the brotherhood when he sees this obvious disparity?
July 28th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I want to know if he was surprised by the plant closures so soon after he made a deal with GM.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I’d ask him if he’s mobbed up.
Okay, that’s my tongue-in-cheek way of saying that I don’t give a rat’s ass what Buzz Hargrove has to say.
His collusion with the automakers has contributed to their current state today, and that is why.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I’d ask him how it feels to know that he was largly responsible for losing the Canadian publics support of organized labour?
July 28th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Anybody want to offer a ten year prediction of where things will be then?
July 28th, 2008 at 11:54 am
With union membership falling and even many of the remaining members questioning the long term wisdom of their union’s direction, what does Buzz think that the union movement needs to do in order to revitalize itself and stay relevant in an increasingly global market for labor?
July 28th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Where does Don Cherry get his suits?
July 28th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Where’s he going to retire to? Venezuela or Cuba?
July 28th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
If I remember correctly Buzz was taken aback by GM’s treachery in closing the plant so soon after a renegotiation.
So that would be his public stance at least.
July 28th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Wish him well for his retirement, and ask him what sort of retirement, health care, perks package he’s getting, and how it compares to a CAW member?
July 28th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Where will the CAW be in 5/10 years. How long does he think the currant way of doing things can survive?
July 28th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Ask him why would anyone would buy a union built Big 2.8 vehicle vs. a non-union American built Toyota or Honda?
July 28th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Does he wear boxers or briefs? Wait, we don’t need to know that.
July 28th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Umm the Corolla and the Tacoma are built by UAW workers and the Aveo and the Fusion are bulit by non UAW workers Airhen.
July 28th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I’d ask if his union was willing to give up some of it’s benefits or pay (or anything for that matter) for the survival of the companies his union members work for. What sacrifices would your union be willing to make to insure the workers will still have a job in five years? (Or ten? Or fifty?)
July 28th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Ask him too if he has any remorse about the little companies theyve destroyed. Ask too about the communities who are being dreadfully hurt and wont recover for 10- 20 years or more. All the shopkeepers, and little people. He may be able to fool his members, but no non-CAW person believes him . Good ridance to this man. The only thing good you can say, is his CAW replacement is worse! The union-ized auto business of Canada is finished.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Point blank: does he know that Canada is now the most expensive place in the world to build cars? With the Canadian dollar at par to the U.S, the good times are over. Can he smell the coffee?
Also, like most Canadians, does he feel that The Order of Canada has been devalued after the once prestigious award was recently given to him and an abortion doctor?
Good ridance Buzz.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
“Why hasn’t the CAW fought for their members to get individual ownership of their retirement savings in a plan like (insert Canadian 401k equivalent here).”
July 29th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Please ask him where he stands on the all-important question of the unique nature of Quebec. Clearly that is the most important question in Canada and must be asked on all occassions. Furthermore, please make certain that he understands that all automotive jobs should be moved to Quebec from Ontario, as Quebec is a distinct society and has certain divine rights which were not granted to its lessors.
Or ask him about the guaranteed 1$ raise from GM back in the 70s, that should be an interesting story.