Buzz Hargrove, president of the Canadian Auto Workers union, has announced that he will be retiring from his position by September 15th. Although no successor to Hargrove has officially been elected, Ken Lewenza – the current president of Local 444 in Windsor, Ontario – has been endorsed by the CAW’s executive board.
Hargrove, who has lead the CAW for the last 16 years, is stepping down in anticipation of his 65th birthday — the mandatory retirement age for the position. Hargrove will turn 65 next March.
Lewenza, 53, has lead Local 444 in Windsor for the last 14 years. Local 444 is one of the union’s largest locals and staffs Chrysler ’s Windsor minivan plant – which produces the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan .
In addition to Lewenza, Hargrove’s two assistants — Tom Collins and Hemi Mitic – will also be campaigning for the CAW’s top position — marking the CAW’s first contested presidential race since 1985.
