TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian Auto Workers union President Buzz Hargrove will step down from his position by mid-September, earlier than previously expected, the union said on Tuesday.

Hargrove, who has led the union since 1992, will retire following a constitutional convention at which a successor will be elected. Dates for the convention have not been announced yet.

Hargrove had been expected to step down next year, when he will turn 65, the union's mandatory retirement age.

CAW executive officers will announce later on Tuesday which candidate they will endorse as Hargrove's replacement. At the convention, 800 delegates from local unions will vote on Hargrove's successor.

The CAW is the largest private sector union in Canada, representing more than 250,000 workers in several industries.

(Reporting by Cameron French; Editing by Peter Galloway)

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW