CAW Local 444

The Canadian Auto Workers, Local 444 (CAW Local 444) is an amalgamated local union affiliated to the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) national union. Originally founded in 1942 as the Chrysler Division of UAW Local 195, Local 444 became a stand-alone union (then affiliated with the U.S.-based United Auto Workers) in 1956.

Based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, CAW Local 444 currently represents around 4600 Chrysler Canada employees who work at the company's Windsor assembly plant, as well as a number of other Windsor-area employers including Caesars Windsor casino, Dakkota Integrated Systems, HBPO Canada, Integram Seating (Magna International), Johnson Controls, Oakley Sub Assembly Windsor, Presteve and Etna Foods, TransAlta Energy and TRW Automotive.

Prominent members

The current president of Local 444 is Rick Laporte. Laporte replaced Ken Lewenza, Sr., after the latter was elected to become the CAW's National President in September, 2008. Buzz Hargrove, Lewenza's immediate predecessor as national president, was also previously a member of Local 444. Ken Lewenza, Jr., another Local 444 member and the son of former local president, now national president, Lewenza Sr., is currently a member of Windsor City Council.

The first President of Local 444, Charles Brooks, lead the Local 444 from 1956 until his death by assassination in 1977 Chrysler Motors employee.

External links

• Local 444, CAW website
• Rebecca Turcotte, "Laporte succeeds Lewenza to lead CAW Local 444", Windsor Star, August 11, 2008.