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CAW chief to retire in September

ROMINA MAURINO

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Latest comment posted at 11:31 AM EST 08/07/08

Buzz Hargrove will leave several months before 65th birthday and mandatory retirement date, Canadian Auto Workers union says ...Read the full article

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  1. Michael Richardson from Canada writes: Why not pack up the CAW and take it with you??
  2. Rain Couver from Canada writes: Thanks for leaving the Canadian automotive industry in shambles. You certainly were one of the big reasons many of those you were charged to protect are now out of work. I hope you choke on your retirement income based on the 'protection' money you took from your CAW brothers and sisters.
  3. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: A great time to buzz out.

    Trade Unions need to re-invent themselves to remain relevant!
  4. Alonso Garnet from Canada writes: I hope this is a true retirement and you won't give media comment anymore Buzz. You were just as bad representing orgainized labour in general as you were representing the CAW. At least it is off the back of your union brothers and sisters that you will enjoy a great pension.
  5. dave charlston from toronto, Canada writes: Poor buzz. Did well when there was no competitive threats. When the going gets tough, the tough ........retire??
  6. Joseph Whistle from Canada writes: Buzz was stuck in a sea of political filth. Good summary on wikipedia.
    I don't know if he was all that bad.
  7. It Is What It Is.... from Canada writes: Time to retire unions all together.
  8. Richard Wakefield from London, Ont., Canada writes: Good riddens! Maybe we will get lucky and he will run for Liberal Leader when Dion falls flat on his face.
  9. Black Gold from Corpus Christi, Tx, United States writes: Good riddance, but his replacement Lewenza who is being forced upon the CAW membership is just a different kind of slimeball. The big 3 will survive, perhaps elsewhere other than North America. As for the CAW, they will have to satisfy themselves with organizing grocery store and coffee shop employees.
  10. Overtaxed and underlaid from Canada writes: Buzz wasn't a bad guy, just an anachronism. The unions needs new blood and leadship that can understand the big picture, not just the % increase line on the next contract year.

    RIP Canadian auto industry. We had some good times back in the days of a 60 cent dollar.
  11. S G from Canada writes: Good job Buzz - your refusal to comprimise will put thousands out of work.

    Whats better - having no job or making $50/hour rather than $60/hour?
  12. Richard Head from Dildo, NFLD, Canada writes: I guess 'Buzzous Hargrovous' can now go the way as the rest of the dinosaurs.
  13. City Pig from Canada writes: Get, while the gettin's good!
  14. Mr. Reilly from canukistan, writes: Good time to retire Buzz. You will be out of work along side of thousands of auto workers who will never have the opportunity to retire because of the greed and avarice you and your bunch of high payed sheep have cultured over the years. Hope you feel good when yu get up every morning and think about all of your union brothers who are on welfare.
  15. David Kawasaki from Onurbike, Japan writes: Hey, Buzz, do something positive for Canadian competitiveness: Set up a union at Tata Motors in India and see if you can drive the price of its Nano above $2500; or run for the Liberals.
  16. charles ANTHONY from Canada writes: Huge retirement package for a non deserving partronizing socialist! Too many more like him in this country and they all have indexed salaries and pensions. The majority have nothing but day to day expectations from a sole-less government and corrupt institutions.
  17. Carl Baldin from Canada writes: Biggest hypocrite I have ever witnessed. He has helped to kill many manufacturing jobs in Ontario; however, he gets the big “goodbye” paycheque, while members of the CAW get pink slips.
  18. Andre Poirier from Canada writes: I love the sign that says 'Lower our rising dollar'!

    Why wouldn't they just accept to have their pay reduced while we maintain our high dollar?

    I don't really see a whole lot of difference between taking a pay cut and having the value of your pay reduced.

    The whole experience of Union vs. Management, particularly in the auto industry, underscores the need for a global strategy where we do not demonize workers overseas who get paid less, but perhaps we help those overseas to get paid more. Why is it that a Chinese worker is worth less than a Canadian doing the same job?

    It also underscores the fact that this oppositional defiant approach to industrial growth has backfired. All of that time and money spent basically on infighting within the industry. I mean with all those union dues could they not have started their own company and manufacture electric vehicles ...?

    I think it's not really productive to pick on Buzz. Although he is one of the key symbols of this failure and lack of leadership. The truth is we need to move on from this dysfunctional industrial dynamic and start looking ahead. Crying in beer and protesting will lead us nowhere.
  19. Sal Gillespie from Canada writes: Wow. I came to the comments board too late!
    Errr.... ditto!
  20. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    From what I have read in these forums I have learned that Buzz Hargrove is the most powerful man in the world.

    High oil prices? Buzz is responsible.

    Toyota losing money? Buzz is responsible.

    Weak American dollar? Buzz is responsible.

    U.S. recession? Buzz is responsible.

    U.S. housing crisis? Buzz is responsible.

    Today's heat and humidity in Toronto? Buzz is responsible.

    Gonna be tough to top you ole Buzzaroo.
  21. Dennis sinneD from Calgary, Canada writes:

    I wish I could read what it says in the poster in the photo under 'Lower Our Rising Dollar'.

    The only way that's likely to happen is if Dion's Liberal Green Shaft comes to fruition...

    Ohhh... no...
  22. DON BARTA from Canada writes:
    ~
    RE; Richard Wakefield from London, Ont., Canada writes: Good riddens! Maybe we will get lucky and he will run for Liberal Leader when Dion falls flat on his face.

    After a lifetime running the CAW - a job as leader of the Liberals would be no problem for Buzz - He could even appoint himself as a senator when he gets tired of the BS that happens in federal politics.....

    ~
  23. steve allan from Canada writes: Good riddance!

    The man severely damaged so many working people's lives with his intransigence and outrageous demands. The few who remained benefited at the expense of the many who paid the price.
  24. Harvey Mushman from cambridge, Canada writes: Now what Buzz? Let's look into our crystal ball shall we? Date: June, 2009...Liberal leader Stephane Dion today announced Buzz Hargrove as the Liberal candidate for Oshawa in the upcoming fall election...' Date: November 2009...'based on poll results as of now the CBC is projecting Buzz Hargrove as the MP for Oshawa Ontario....' Date: Dec. 2009....'in announcing The Honorable Buzz Hargrove as federal Minister of Industry today, Prime Minister Dion cited his years as CAW president...' Wow...I'd better give Stephen King his crystal ball back.
  25. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Bye Buzz. Ur leaving the CAW and the rest of the auto industry in great shape for your successor.. C Ya. Enjoy your fat pension, money stolen from CAW members over the years. C Ya
  26. The Rock from Canada writes: Every new CAW leader should continue to use the name 'Buzz'.

    It's such an appropriate name for the job.
  27. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: So let's see...how will the old boy's club reward Buzz.

    1. A safe federal NDP seat with an acclaimed nomination.
    2. A senate position, as a token leftie/Marxist.
    3. An appointment as an ambassador to a place like Venezuala or Cuba.
    4. An appointment to some obscure think tank or ngo like they 'rewarded' Ed Broadbent.

    Any other ideas?
  28. pole cat from Canada writes: Good for ontario,one more libtard gone.
  29. Old Sam Dark and Dirty from Republic of Newfoundland, Canada writes: Buzz may have the buzz on when the next federal election is going to be....I would bet my house he will be running for the Liberals.
  30. M M from SK, Canada writes: To Kan - no Buzz is not responsible for all of the things you listed (and I don't think anyone suggested that he was) but as a leader he failed badly to develop responses that would help his members deal with these things. He stuck his head in the sand and maintained the position that unions always had and failed to see that the world and the economy was changing. If he wanted his members to have viable and sustainable jobs in the future BIG changes were needed in union agreements - changes that as a leader he would need to sell to his members - he failed over and over to do that.
  31. bill johnson from Quebec, Canada writes: Having reendered his industry to the brink of bankruptcy, Buzz says 'it Miller time'. Well done Buzzsaw. His replacement: someone even more truculent, more dim-witted.
  32. M M from SK, Canada writes: TO R.M. - thankfully since Harper is in power the only one of those from your list that might happen is a safe NDP seat for the next election - BUT I wouldn't even count on that given that he threw his weight behind Martin in the last election. Maybe the Liberals will give him a seat, but I don't think the Liberals have that many safe seats.
  33. The Rock from Canada writes: Is Stephane Dion (Liberals) going to become the new CAW leader?
  34. Harvey Mushman from cambridge, Canada writes: The Rock from Canada writes: 'Is Stephane Dion (Liberals) going to become the new CAW leader?'...no...I doubt the CAW would want to move that far left.
  35. Any Guy At Home from Canada writes: Good riddance indeed - this man should have left his post years ago. So many comments here I would like to duplicate - 'better $50 per hour pushing a broom than no job at all'

    So, will we see a 'mini-me-buzz' in his successor? Time will tell whether Buzz's replacement will actually have something in his cranium other than that which filled Buzz's - idiocy.
  36. spicydoc--That'll do, spicydoc, that'll do... from Canada writes:
    Buzz will run as LPC candidate against Layton or Chow in the next election.

    Mayor Miller will run against the other.

    The LPC are finished in western Canada except for Vancouver.

    Their 'battle' won't be against CPC people in the 905 etc. The LPC will try to win by stealing urban seats from the NDP.
  37. P T from Sadly, Victoria, Canada writes: Leave it to someone from Victoria ( Daniel ) to take the side of the Union.

    Just do what bc'ers do: Smoke. and complain... and protest of course.

    While do not think Hargrove was all bad, I do think his lack of foresight and his refusal to budge on anything is not helping. 60 ago, Buzz would have been a perfect leader, today not so much.

    PT
  38. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Love that picture....

    Heil Hargrove !
  39. Rob C from Canada writes: Tail between his legs, I presume...will he feel guilty cashing his pension cheques knowing a big chunk of his constituents will be collecting pogy? WHo knows - If I were him, I would disappear. He can't go anywhere without being villainized.
  40. The Rock from Canada writes: I must admit, Hargrove's picture looks like Dion, with a few extra pounds added on
  41. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Don Cherry... Matts Sundin.... Buzz Hargrove, etc.

    Who cares!

    It's annnoying that the Centre of the Universe media still think that all these guys are soooooooooo relevant to the rest of us in the real world...

    Yesterday's newspapers... Move on!
  42. Old Sam Dark and Dirty from Republic of Newfoundland, Canada writes: spicydoc--That'll do, spicydoc, that'll do... from Canada writes:
    Buzz will run as LPC candidate against Layton or Chow in the next election.

    Mayor Miller will run against the other.

    ===============

    You have got to be kidding about the Miller thing......Is the Liberal Party really after drifting that far to the left that they would want Miller?

    Never mind I have my answer...they have Bob Rae.
  43. Surfing at Lunch from Canada writes: and take your anachronistic Camaros with you, Buzz. I'm all for unions but you did them a great disservice by serving as a spokesmouth for the Big Three and making the compromises you did on behalf of your members to compensate for the auto industries greed and lousy management and lack of vision.

    You're no progressive if you believe that it's okay to keep pumping out gas guzzling SUVs and muscle cars just to keep everybody working in exactly the same jobs for all time.

    Who Killed the Electric Car? GM, the oil companies, sure, but Buzz Hargrove through his complicity.

    Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

    Solidarity forever!

    Signed, an environmentalist, non-Liberal, non-NDP, non-'left' union member (such creatures DO exist, believe it or not).
  44. David Kawasaki from Onurbike, Japan writes: R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Don Cherry... Matts Sundin.... Buzz Hargrove, etc.

    Who cares!

    It's annnoying that the Centre of the Universe media still think that all these guys are soooooooooo relevant to the rest of us in the real world...

    Yesterday's newspapers... Move on!
    __________________________________________________________

    After you.
  45. Howard Roark from Whitby, Canada writes: Good riddance...please take the union with you. I live near Oshawa, and it is unbelievable the gimme gimme attitude they have. The plant is productive, sure, but at a tremendous present and future cost. No wonder the company is shutting down some production and laying people off.

    Of course, Buzz and his comrades would not understand simple market economics - they are more concerned with wringing every last drop of blood from the company (and then being surprised they are looking at a corpse).
  46. J Law from Canada writes: Read the signs behind Buzz in the photo and that tells you all you really need to know about unions. These signs are demanding someone else lower the rising dollar and the government save jobs etc. etc. And why is it not the union also doing something on these issues that will help the economy? Why someone else?
  47. Hypo Critic from Canada writes: These Union leaders are back stabbers. They on purpose raise the wages for the staff and move jobs to Mexico and China!!! Somebody should look into Buzz the 'union' leader's amassed wealth!!!
  48. Hypo Critic from Canada writes: David Kawasaki from Onurbike, Japan writes: Hey, Buzz, do something positive for Canadian competitiveness: Set up a union at Tata Motors in India and see if you can drive the price of its Nano above $2500; or run for the Liberals.

    ***
    Don't worry. He will be 'consulting' and run more business into ground!!
  49. Devil Bud from Canada writes: I don't know why I even bother, but I figure someone's gotta say something. First off, you parasites are very similar to a bunch of bandwagon jumping, armchair athletes. You sit there and criticize everyone on the losing team when things go bad, and come up with your 'expert' opinion of what they need to do. I can guarantee you of one thing, none of you are even remotely close to being experts on the given subject of the day. This is not speculation, it is just a given fact since everyone who has posted so far has said absolutely nothing intelligent. All that you have all posted is: 'good riddance', Buzz's fault this, Buzz's fault that, unions suck, liberals suck, blah, blah, blah. Here's a thought...the auto industry, parts industry, and manufacturing industry in general have been the driving force of our economy way before Buzz came along. Our economy, the domestic auto industry..., were all doing great until when? Was it when Buzz did this? Did that? Let me throw you all a little bone of reality...we have numerous 'unfair trade agreements' with several foreign nations that export a disproportionate amount of goods to Canada. Put another way, asian countries send and sell millions of cars here, but only allow a few thousand into their country. What do you think happens with other products? THE EXACT SAME THING. So wrap that up with a strong dollar and who the he.ll would want to buy Canadian goods. These countries that have the benefit of exploiting our consumers, don't allow the same in return. So, unless Buzz is the one signing these trade agreements, running the Bank of Canada, or living a double-life as an oil speculator, then you are pointing the finger in the wrong direction. Even the Big 3 have said the exact same thing...there is no pay cut that could save the Canadian auto industry. The rest of the variables are completely stacked against domestic producers.
  50. Jon O from Canada writes: The article mentions mandatory retirement at age 65, I thought McGuinty banned mandatory retirement.
  51. bill johnson from Quebec, Canada writes: Devil: Out of a job yet? Keep driving Buzzsaw!
  52. J Albert from Toronto, Canada writes: Based on the picture alone is enough to convince any sane employer from hiring these guys. I guess 'it's all about us' should be the new slogan - nothing to do with solidarity.

    Buzz and co decided to work real hard to try and keep the Oshawa truck plant - but how hard were they working for the last three decades (oh other than working hard at filing grievances and featherbedding.)
  53. S R from London london, Canada writes: Thanks to all the G&M union bashers for proving time and again the revolutionary insignificance of the Internet.

    It's entertaining, though, to read reactions to Hargrove's retirement posing as original ideas.

    Making Hargrove a strawman is but a gross overestimation of his union power. Right, the CAW's got Walmart's muscle.

    Bob Dylan may not have been the first to sing about unions going the way of the 'dinosaurs', but that was well over thirty years ago now.

    But, of course, union-bashers think their hot air can change world history.
  54. artz fanz from Canada writes: 'CAW Ken Lewenza' has 13 letters in it. 'West Nile Virus' has 13 letters in it. ......... Coincidence ?......................I don't think so.
  55. Saskatchewan Seal Hunter Club from Canada writes: Buzz off..........ba bye.
  56. Chris A from Canada writes: i guess there are no further manufacturing industries he can run in to the ground in Canada...

    good ridence to bad rubish... wish he'd have retired years ago.
  57. Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: 'Devil Bud from Canada writes: I don't know why I even bother, but I figure someone's gotta say something............... I can guarantee you of one thing, none of you are even remotely close to being experts on the given subject of the day. This is not speculation, it is just a given fact since everyone who has posted so far has said absolutely nothing intelligent'
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I TOTALLY AGREE. I think Buz is smart to go now; with so many ignorant and ungrateful workers, who would want to continue even until 65: it is worth taking the bit less in his pension, just to get rid of you guys. I AM NOT IN FAVOUR OF UNIONS ANYWAY.!

    Do you think Buz is responsibility for the downfall of the three big auto manufacturers? You should read the international press today and get a true picture, and then just sit and wait to see which one of GM or Ford will go bankrupt first. I am just surprised that GM hired such stupid people in the first place.
  58. Jack Traynor from Canada writes: Now we know why the CAW/GM,Ford,Chysler contracts were done in May. It was done for Buzz's benefit, not for the workers benefit.
  59. Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: The sooner the better!
  60. Sayless Thinkmore from Tronno, Canada writes: How cowardly.
  61. D walters from tim Hortons, Canada writes: Buzz is symptomatic of the labour leaders of the 1960's - loud, ignorant, bullying and abusive to anyone who disagrees with them or gets in their way. He also a symptom of a generation of labour leaders who saw the BIG 3 as the enemy and treated them that way and tried to grab everything they could see. As a result you have the current situation where the CAW is considered to be greedy and out of touch with the current reality of the marketplace. More and more work is not being done by unions as they are considered high cost - and quality doesnt count with the BIG 3 as they are seen as not producing quality vehicles compared to the competition. Buzz can bellow and scream about what ever he wants but he cannot effect any change as he and hi union are locked into a self destructive pattern they can;t escape.
  62. Paul Jay from Canada writes: I believe that no one is right all the time, so things work best if different groups are able to challenge each other for a say in how things are done. Unions allow this to happen in the workplace. Maybe some of you posters have been blessed with utopian jobs, but my expereince has been that management can screw up terribly. I'm glad folks like Buzz and organizations like the CAW are around to provide some checks and balances on the boss.
  63. Wilf Kruggel from Canada writes: It apears that there are not too many people in love with Buz. To all you folks, keep it up and just maybe we together, can get the labor laws changed so that they are relevant with the times. Do you think Buz really cares? Of course not, infact, he's probably got that middle finger pointing at you and everybody around him and yelling. the same goes for the stooges that are comming up, 'Suckers', Most of the companies are gone now. Wilf
  64. Charles Brown from Vancouver, BC, Canada writes: If Paul Martin or the LPC were still in power Buz would certainly see himself made a Senator in the upper chamber. Well, at least that's how things were done in the past...
  65. Blue Magic ...... from Canada writes: Good riddence, this guy was a disater for the CAW.
  66. RJ McCrae from Canada writes: I just hope it is not a coronation. Another Buzz is not needed. Times have changed and the membership needs some fresh thinking. Many of us here believe Buzz lost touch with the union members and spent too much time on self promotion. The new president, I hope, will spend more time working on new ideas and less time in front of the TV cameras.
  67. Mark Stone from Detroit, United States writes: Sorry, but Canadian and US automotive top brass have been quietly laughing at the unions for the last 20 years. Due to 'poor performance' the top US/CA automakers will soon start importing vehicles from Europe made at their own companies, as well as by 2010 start building auto factories in Mexico. It took almost 100 years to off the unions, but they've done it, and striking will only cause US/CA labor to lose $$ because the companies will import its own cars...There is a French saying, 'Vengeance is a hot dish eaten cold.' Indeed. Capital holders: 1, Unions: 0. It ain't over yet and the Fat Lady will probably have to sue for her check.
  68. Jack Robinson from Canada writes: As a former vice-president of the Toronto Municipal Employees' Union, then known as CUPE Local 43 before my successor's eventual indictment, imprisonment and ed-certification of the Sopranos-style cesspool I baled from 15 months into my tenure... I offer these pithy ponderings:

    Despite the often brass-knuckled gangsterism that (in my experience) can and often occurs in the Canadian Labour movement... the legitimate, progressive and hard-won advances in fair wages; fair worker treatment in the trenches; Occupational Health & Safety regulations and negotiated benefits that both reward and recognize the loyalty and sacrifices of employees' long-term contributions... have actually set a standard ALL CANADIANS now enjoy...

    In my opinion, Buzz Hargrove has proven to be nothing more than a sly, swing-shift sycophant to his Detroit hub capos... and should've 'eaten a lug wrench lunch' after crank-shafting both the NDP and his due-to-be-screwed, lunch-bucket 'brotherhood'.

    And finally... Ken Lewenza? Ya gotta be kiddin' me with this boob-lube Pole Dance!!!
  69. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    'From what I have read in these forums I have learned that Buzz Hargrove is the most powerful man in the world.

    High oil prices? Buzz is responsible.
    Toyota losing money? Buzz is responsible.
    Weak American dollar? Buzz is responsible.
    U.S. recession? Buzz is responsible.
    U.S. housing crisis? Buzz is responsible.
    Today's heat and humidity in Toronto? Buzz is responsible.
    Gonna be tough to top you ole Buzzaroo.'

    Comment:

    Responsibility knows no bounds, eh
  70. Mike L. from Canada writes: Bye Buzz, don't let the door hit you on the ar$e on the way out.
  71. Kristian Klima from Canada writes: Mr. Hargrove went on TV in May and accused the government of not doing anything about the 'imports' that are destroying Canadian automotive industry.

    1. There's no such a thing as Canadian automotive industry, it's US cars being assemled in Canada. By that logic Slovakia, producing most cars per capita in the world, would be the automotive superpower. It's not.

    2. Imports are actually being manufactured just right here or south of the BORDER, so the Camry is as domestic as Silverado.

    3. It's 2008, not 1980.

    4. Diversification of Canadian factories' manufacturing portfolio should have happened long ago and it was CAW's job to make sure the portfolio was more variable, not truck and full sized sedans centred.
  72. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: Sure there's Japanese assembly plants in the West. But the profits and know-how are in the East. That sucks. It's sad to see the North American auto industry in decline.
  73. joseph Cheng from Toronto, Canada writes: To set an example of his concern about GM's cutbacks and closing of car plants here in Canada, the Buzz is going to buzz off into the sunset in his Cadillac and curse GM when he partakes in the summer BBQ cookouts with his chums in Ottawa. You CAW guys! Don't forget to donate generously towards a nice farewell gift for the Buzz!
  74. Badges? We don't need no stinking badges. from Canada writes: I work in a Toyota assembly plant...They love temporary workers and massive overtime before even thinking of adding one more full-time worker who would be entitled to 'benefits'. They cringe at the mere thought of that. They're pathetically cheap....Karoshi
  75. Denis Love from Victoria BC, Canada writes: Lets not forget folks. Buzz got and kept the job because the union members voted him into the position. Yes theylost members but the ones to complain about are the company bosses. No I'm not a memebr of CAW or any union as I'm retired but I like the pension benefits that all Canadians because unions fought for those benefits. Government on thier own would never have come up with maternity leave and other benefits. In my view Buzz did his best, and sure he gets a pension and deserves every cent. Good luck in retirement Buzz
  76. Eddie Kated from Canada writes:

    Never trust a grown man named Buzz.

    What's his real name anyway? Buzzle?

    .
  77. Jonathan Choi from Toronto, Canada writes: Should have left many years ago.
    Leaders are visionaries of tomorrow.
    Hargrove should have seen what was coming to the American auto makers. How come none of the international auto makers are having this problem?
    Hargrove is now going to collect his big pay cheque while thousands are out of a job.
    Good job buddy!!
    Hope you enjoy your retirement you greedy union member.
  78. John Smith from Canada writes: Mark my words. Buzz will be a federal LPC candidate this fall. God help us if he gets elected
  79. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    Read my 12:03 post John Smith.

    Didn't you know?

    Buzz is God.
  80. Ric S from Canada writes: Way to go Buzzstard! Screw things up so bad and then take off. One word: COWARD We should ship you to a foreign country far, far, away just like you've allowed the foreign autoworkers to move in here and have their way while OUR big 3 had their hands tied because of YOU!! GET LOST AND GOOD RIDDENS!
  81. A. Nonymous from CAW Ville, United States writes: How does someone who hasn't worked an honest day as a CAW [union] member get to be president of the CAW union?

    Hook me up for a job where I don't have to actually be a common union worker, but I get to decide what the common worker does.
  82. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: Badges? We don't need no stinking badges. from Canada writes: I work in a Toyota assembly plant...one more full-time worker who would be entitled to 'benefits'. They cringe at the mere thought of that. They're pathetically cheap....Karoshi

    What if these actions enable you to keep your job for a few extra years?

    Just asking, you understand.
  83. More CO2 Gas from Canada writes: Buzz did pretty good. He probably got more hand out from the Liberals then anyone else, other then the countries lawyers, in the history of Canada I suspect. Now they are forced to cut bait and fish for themselves like everyone else. Will the Lawyers be next?
  84. Bobby Culture from Canada writes: I am sick and tired of everyone calling GM, Chrysler and Ford ... the Big 3.

    THE BIG 3 LOSERS is really much more appropriate.

  85. Tom Ridout from Goodtimingville, Canada writes: This guy has a better sense of timing than Fred Astaire! Runs out the door just before the crapper goes up in flames. No doubt he'll get on some other gravy train through his NDP connections. Good ridance.
  86. Charles Brown from Vancouver, BC, Canada writes: Looking at the way unions are managed and run these days, I am still amazed there is still a membership. The union leaders are nothing more than a group of selfish parasites, with Buzz being the finest example. The poor membership is still living in a dream that one day, ...one day..., their union leaders will achieve in getting a better deal for them. I sincerely hope they will wake up soon, because their union leaders are there just for their own benefit.
  87. jake and pete from Canada writes: Get rid of the big money sucker unions. Ontario and Federal legegisrtation protects every one just fine?

    We need more entripeniurship leadership.

    Does RIM have a uniion Buzz?

    Next get rid of the teachers pension fund - half of it is your money!
  88. Ned Chiwalski from Canada writes: Buzz,

    You and the union idea have out lived your usefullness!
    From your point of view though, it must be nice enjoying your retirement while thousands of your 'brothers and sisters' are losing there jobs, their homes ect.

    Great legacy!!!!!
  89. Libertarian Capitalist from Calgary, Canada writes: The Buzz is finally to buzz off! And that is a positive epochal change. We shall hope then that the next 'Chief Jeremiah of the Nation' to be a mellower prophet of doom-n-gloom of the inevitable Global free trade and of a productive-cum-innovative labour markets.
  90. J Albert from Toronto, Canada writes: D walters summarises things in excellent fashion.

    One thing people don't realise is that a big reason the Big Three have lost it over the last three or four decades is that they can't attract the top talent in engineering. More top engineering students want to go into electronics and computers. The auto industry is tarnished by being unionized - pictures such as Buzz raising his fist have turned off a number of generations of engineers.

    Bright young people want to work in a fun, positive environment - not a unionized one.
  91. Allan Eizinas from Simcoe, Canada writes: .
    Buzz Hargrove says he's retiring with no regrets.

    Buzz Hargrove says he's retiring and I have no regrets!
  92. Honesty is the best Policy from Canada writes:
    Amazing ignorance of Ontario's most important industry and it's union by the posters here.

    Buzz is a great Canadian in many ways.

    The CAW members (and organized labour) gives more per capita to the united way than any other group.

    The CAW under Buzz has supported the women's movement in trying to end violence against women.

    Buzz himself has raised millions for charities.

    Buzz has negotiated a good future for the Ford plant in Oakville among many others.

    The opinions on here reflect the inanity of the posters not any reality.
  93. boz dobbs from toronto, Canada writes: Why in such a hurry Buzz?The barn is shut but the horses are still out.I hope the next union to fall are the teachers,but we all know that Dalton McGuinty is in their back pocket,or his wife,s purse.
  94. Harbinger from Out West from Canada writes: Hey Buzz! If you are reading these posts, pay them no mind. They're just jealous. Every month when you get your cheque, before you go into the bank to cash it, just stick your tongue out to all us brothers and sisters who made it all possible. We will never know but will imagine.
  95. Bobby the K from Bogarttown, Canada writes: > Neither management or union leadership showed any interest in progressive ideas. >
  96. Grassroots are the wave of the future from Canada writes: Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: Badges? We don't need no stinking badges. from Canada writes: I work in a Toyota assembly plant...one more full-time worker who would be entitled to 'benefits'. They cringe at the mere thought of that. They're pathetically cheap....Karoshi

    What if these actions enable you to keep your job for a few extra years?

    Just asking, you understand. ==================================================Therer are many issues around the area of temp workers, as the current Employment Standards Act does little to protect them on some of the basic rights and there is the issue around WSIB, if temp worker gets hurt on the job sites, as the onus is currently on the temp comapny to pay WSIB premiums, so let's say if the temp company does not remit, where does that leave the worker who is injuried?????
  97. Greg Atkin from Canada writes: If anything unions understand the basic premise of war- that is war is poor/working class people fighting others from the same class. Marx had this part correct, especially these days.
  98. Prairie Boy from Canada writes: Wow, people don't seem to like Buzz. I don't either but it is not all his fault. He had a lot of help from the auto industry in that they gave us what we wanted at the cost of hundreds of millions of dollars. Then we changed our minds and didn't want the big SUV we desired last year and did not provide the solar powered one with the wind turbine on top that runs on dreams.
  99. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    Greg Atkin write:

    "Marx had this part correct, especially these days."

    You are being disingenuous Greg.

    I have seen all his movies and Groucho never said any such thing.

    You take us for fools?
  100. P Jones from NB, Canada writes: I have never had a good experience with a union. Thank God I never had to be part of one. They promote the sad reality in today's Canada ... that is the sense of entitlement.
  101. Jack Sprat from Dry Gulch, Canada writes: These Union leaders are back stabbers. They on purpose raise the wages for the staff and move jobs to Mexico and China!!! Somebody should look into Buzz the 'union' leader's amassed wealth!!!

    You know, it's comments like the above that make me realize just how stupid the average voter in Canada is. We get what we deserve in this country.

    I've seen everything from how Buzz won't budge and he's stuck in the past, yet the last couple of agreements have been about concessions from the union. The last one with GM was classic. As soon as the union signed on the dotted line, GM did exactly what they said they wouldn't do, they closed a plant. Just like in the 70's with Chrysler, they gave up wages and benefits to help an ailing company with a promise of getting that back when time were better and Chrysler did to them exactly what GM did ..... screwed them over.
  102. Nat Kvil from Toronto, Canada writes: Buzz off, thanks God!
    Go and play golf and think what you did to your fellow workers in Oshawa.
    Thanks to you, they lost 67$/hour jobs and don't forget it to compare with minimum wage in Ontario. I'm sure those folks in Oshawa won't forget you and for God's sake, stay away from politics !!!
  103. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    Nat Kvil.

    You sure like to slap around the G-word a whole lot.

    That's creepy.
  104. S R from london london, Canada writes: these rants are so funny....

    rants from the soapbox

    working people bashing unions for not being democratic enough.

    What idealism!

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