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Three candidates gear up to replace CAW's Hargrove

GREG KEENAN

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 2:06 PM EST 04/07/08

Mandatory retirement provision forcing union president to step down ...Read the full article

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  1. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: 'Three candidates gear up to replace CAW's Hargrove'

    Curly, Larry or Moe...
  2. Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: Good thing that provision's there, otherwise Buzz would never leave!

    Is it too much to hope for that the next President is a realist?

    Yep. This IS unionism, after all. :-(
  3. Buddy Canada from Toronto, Canada writes: C'mon we know he wants to get out now before he has to do real work. At least 2 of the big 3 will fall in the next year or so, so I am sure he wants to get out in a hurry.
  4. George BrownIII from Christmas Island writes: Reminds me of a story of 3 dogs fighting over a vanishing bone.
  5. by jove from Canada writes:
    Rumour has it that it'll be one of the Marx brothers.
  6. Rick C from Canada writes: The day Hargrove steps down will be a great day for Canada.

    Hopefully Buzz gets hit by a truck while playing in traffic.
  7. Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, BC, writes: As usual I see the Con-Borgie supporters sticking their two cents worth where it isn't welcome. Qu'elle surprise. Here's a thought - try walking into a union hall and saying those comments? No? Didn't think so.
  8. Broken Record from Victoria, B.C., Canada writes: If Ford, GM and Chrysler need another mouthpiece, why don't they just appoint somebody?
  9. City Pig from Toronto, Canada writes: Maybe Sid Ryan's availible....another loser.

    Perhaps the CAW can get into McDonalds and unionize there. Then we can pay $20 for a Big Mac.
  10. Devil Bud from Canada writes: City Pig....what a fitting name. You wouldn't have to worry about the $20 Burger, seeing as you would be getting your staff discount and all.
  11. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Con hack losers union-bashing are pathetic.

    Idiots.
  12. William Doyle from Prince George, Canada writes: Most of the people that Hargrove has so called represented over the years never went to school, Hargrove is a good example of someone who skipped school. By making away to high a dollar demand of the so called big three over the years he personally has helped to close a number of Canadian plants.
  13. Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto, Canada writes: Buzz Hargrove is no different from most big union 'leaders' - a real pro at posturing before the membership and a pro (or is that 'ho') in dealing with management. As in most other unions, dissenters are usually silenced through subtle and not so subtle threats. After all, most of the major business union chiefs draw salaries that are many times that of the average member. They aren't about to rock the boat by making unionism politically relevant again - especially if it means jeopardizing a lifestyle of privilege. Unless there is a real rank-and-file movement within the CAW or any other major union, life will go on as usual. The members will be sweet-talked and persuaded to accept what is presented to them by the union leadership (usually without any real input from the rank and file) and, if that doesn't work, any recalcitrant members can expect to be 'persuaded' by the goons who run most unions. Meanwhile, the union leadership will reward itself handsomely with bloated salaries and be rewarded again by management for maintaining 'labour peace'. Although Hargrove is leaving, it is doubtful that he will be replaced by anyone with a vision beyond that of shmoozing with the corporate elite at the same golf clubs and watering holes.
  14. Spending our money from Canada writes: Future Order of Canada for the winner!
  15. Robert Loblaw from Canada writes: It's unfortunate that the union is unable to attract candidates that have a formal business education. While they may be few and far between, an MBA or someone who actually understands managements' side of the operation of a business would probably be better equipped to deal with the challenges facing many of the chapters of the CAW.

    Several of these chapters will disappear through attrition as the jobs leave Canada for places where labour and operational infrastructure is less expensive. Someone capable of selling a new way of thinking to labour may have a better chance of striking deals that encourage management to continue production in places where they would otherwise close up shop.

    Sadly, most of these guys are 'hard boys' who think tough is better than smart. The possibility that someone who is capable of using words of more than two syllables replacing Hargrove is limited.

    Too bad - these folks are in for a really rough ride.
  16. David Griffith from NS, Canada writes: Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, BC, writes: As usual I see the Con-Borgie supporters sticking their two cents worth where it isn't welcome. Qu'elle surprise. Here's a thought - try walking into a union hall and saying those comments? No? Didn't think so
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Actually, here's some news for you Danny: In Canada we have free speech, and we all are free to speak our minds whether union lackeys like you like it or not.

    Big unions are as damaging as big government: their insatiable greed is part of the reason the auto indistry is so messed up. Where else can you make big bucks for turning a screw?

    Now its just a question of which socialist party he might run for: Liberals or NDP. Not much to choose from.
  17. Kato Man from Vancouver, Canada writes: Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, BC, writes: "As usual I see the Con-Borgie supporters sticking their two cents worth where it isn't welcome. Qu'elle surprise. Here's a thought - try walking into a union hall and saying those comments? No? Didn't think so"

    The union halls are in Canada, eh? Last I checked, everyone's free to voice their opinions. This is not the Soviet Union or China and your union goon tactics have no weight anymore.

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