Mr Crow, who started out at 16 as a track worker at
London Underground, soon afterwards became involved in Union Politics to be
elected as leader of the RMT in 2002, when he was just 41.
He spent most weekends speaking at rallies and
meetings and was always in demand to support campaigns.
Bob Crow was a fighter for working people and
wanted a well-paid and secure job for his members. Under the union leader the RMT stood out, choosing traditional
industrial activism rather than protests.
The union boss was a very successful negotiator and in 2011 RMT-affiliated drivers won a deal entitling them up to £52,000 per year, which was twice the medium wage in Britain.
It was under Mr Crow tutelage that Rail, Maritime and Transport cut its ties
with the Labour Party, in 2004.
Describing that important period in the RMT history, MP
Jeremy Corbyn, said:
“I remember once
staying outside Euston station with him giving out leaflets calling for the nationalization
of the railway. Not an obvious place to stand and it was amazing to see all
these people to come and say ‘thank you very much Mr Crow, very kind of you’
”.
Earlier this year, when staff walked out over
proposals to close all the ticket offices in London, the capital was left
immobile for two days. Mr Crow’s small union caused chaos and was almost
entirely responsible for inspiring a Conservative campaign for tougher strike
laws.
He worked hard for steady and sustained investment to
overcome decades of neglect in the underground system. It is largely down to
him that customers can now rely on the most frequent train service in the world,
by getting on the Victoria and Jubilee lines.
There are many more improvements to come, also part of
his plan.
People across the political spectrum recognise his
power and his influence and that he was probably the most influential and
well-known trade unionist in the country.
Transport chiefs, who
have already promised the RMT will remain powerful, will now be facing the
tough task of choosing Mr Crow’s successor.
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