Daily Updates with RF Rizwan Farrukh
Mr Crow, General Secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union has died. He had been the RMT leader since 2002 when he was elected general secretary following the death of a former leader, Jimmy Knapp. He is believed to have suffered from a heart attack and died in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The 52-year-old was understood to have been at a TUC executive away-day in Surrey on Monday, but was feeling unwell so wasn’t able to attend.
Mr Crow, born in 1961, East London got his first job on the underground at the age of 16. His job consisted of fixing rails and cutting down trees by the track. He became a local representative for the then National Union of Railwaymen at the age of 20. Last month, Mr Crow joined his members on the picket line during a Tube strike and called a complaint at the Mayors’ plan to close ticket offices.
Mr Crow used to clash over plans for the Tube with Mayor of London, Boris Johnson who said, “I am shocked. Bob Crow was a fighter and a man of character.”
Ed Miliband, Labour Leader says, “He was a major fighter in the labour movement and was loved and deeply respected by his members.”
“He was a passionate defender of safe, affordable public transport,” he added.
BBC’s Political Editor, Nick Robinson says, “Mr Crow was, some argue, the most successful union leader in terms of securing jobs and pay for his members.”
Miserable Day
When offering condolences, Mr Miliband said, “I didn’t always agree with him politically, but I always respected his tireless commitment to fighting for the men and women in his union. He did what he was elected to do, was not afraid of controversy and was always out supporting his members across the country. He was a passionate defender of and campaigner for safe, affordable public transport and was a lifelong anti-fascist activist.”
The Former Mayor, Ken Livingstone told Sky News; “He fought really hard for his members. The only working-class people who still have well-paid jobs in London are his members.”
Leader of the TSSA Rail Union, Manuel Cortes said, “Bob Crow was admired by his members and feared by employers, which is exactly how he liked it.”
“It was a privilege to campaign and fight alongside him because he never gave an inch,” he added.
Convenor of the RMT parliamentary group, John McDonnell wrote on Twitter; “In Bob Crow we have lost one of the finest trade union leaders and socialists our movement has known. I am devastated by this tragic news.”
