Bob Crow dies

[Rhondda Rudie]

Watching it on BBC News channel.An outstanding union leader and far more astute than he was given credit for.It will be a hell of a job for us to replace him.

 

[merlodlliw]

It appears the RMT informed the media,such a short life.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who clashed many times with the union leader, said: "Whatever our political differences, and there were many, this is tragic news.

"I'm shocked. Bob Crow was a fighter and a man of character.

"Bob fought tirelessly for his beliefs and for his members.

"There can be absolutely no doubt that he played a big part in the success of the Tube, and he shared my goal to make transport in London an even greater success.

"It's a sad day."

 

[dysonsphere]

I never agreed with his views but he belived in what he did RIP

 

[Minilad]

RIP Bob Crow
I am sure lots of people will feel the need to have a pop at him. But his job was to stand up and support the membership and this he did.

PS
I wonder how long it will be before someone mentions his salary

 

[merlodlliw]

RIP Bob Crow


PS
I wonder how long it will be before someone mentions his salary

No need for that,we all show respect

 

[CNash]

RIP Mr. Crow. So sudden, and only 52... I don't think there has been a more recognisable union leader in recent years, thanks to his frequent clashes with Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson.

 

[ModernRailways]

Just saw this on the BBC news!

Truly shocking thing to happen to a relatively young man! RIP Bob!

It does make me wonder just who would be able to take over as leader. He always seemed to voice his opinions and strongly. No other Union leader does it like he did. He may have been controversial, but to me that is a good thing!

 

[Tracky]

I didn't like him, and I'm a member.

It Is however very sad to hear of his passing, and at just 52. Thoughts are with those close to him who will miss him dearly.

 

[Darandio]

we all show respect

Really? With one post already saying 'Good Riddance', I don't really see that as respectful to be honest.

 

[Tracky]

I don't have a problem with anybody who feels so strongly that they do not wish to pay there respects. It shows a distinct lack of self respect to make disrespectful comments.

Like the - I'm glad Thatchers dead comments - unnecessary really - just keep quiet!

 

[Nym]

And of coure Boris' response that is hardly respectful, trying to imply they where on the same side...(!)

 

[Tetchytyke]

I have more time for people who are honest- "I hated him when he was alive and I hate him now he's dead"- than the glib "we're so sorry" comments that they don't really mean.

I disagreed with a lot of what he said and did, but he was someone you'd want on your side. 52 is no age and I really do genuinely feel sad about it. It's no age at all.

That said, I was horrible about Thatcher. I tried to think of her kids, then I remembered they were Carol "what do you mean calling a black person a golliwog is racist?" Thatcher and her coup-leading brother Mark, so I didn't feel bad in the slightest.

 

[Greenback]

Like the - I'm glad Thatchers dead comments - unnecessary really - just keep quiet!

I agree, At such times it is bette rto remain silent rather than be disrespctful.

Even if you despise someone for the beliefs, remember that they are still a father/sister/mother/brother/child to someone else.

 

[Tetchytyke]

And of coure Boris' response that is hardly respectful, trying to imply they where on the same side...(!)

Hmm.

A lot of the time they were, tbh. There were fewer strikes under Boris than there were under Livingstone. Boris, along with the likes of Hendy and Daniels, must have been doing something right.

 

[DarloRich]

Despite being a union member (not RMT) I did not always agree with actions taken the RMT general secretary, despite often agreeing with the sentiments, however he was a man of his convictions, he represented his members interests with a dogged determination and obtained good results for his members. He also acted a spokesman ( for good or bad) for the whole railway industry often expressing points of view that were hard to disagree with!

As a human being, I feel really sorry for his family and friends. My condolences are with them.
But as a public transport passenger, I have to say good riddance.
This man cared not one jot for the passengers and the taxpayers.
He was selfish, snobbish and deeply arrogant, and viewed us passengers as a massive inconvenience, and bullied his way around with deeply unreasonable demands for rail workers.
Again, I am sorry for his family, and wish no one ill or dead, but as a passenger and taxpayer, I accept the reality of the situation that we are better off without him at the helm of the union.

Poor taste and clearly shows you fail to understand the purpose of a trade union and the work done by executives to look after their members interests. I shall go no further as this is not the right time.

 

[merlodlliw]

Really? With one post already saying 'Good Riddance', I don't really see that as respectful to be honest.

I had not seen that post you mention,the man has died,respect is all that is required.

 

[tony6499]

RIP Bob, he will be greatly missed by the members of the RMT

 

[Barn]

I have more time for people who are honest- "I hated him when he was alive and I hate him now he's dead"- than the glib "we're so sorry" comments that they don't really mean.

Lots of us do mean the "so sorry" comments though. In life you can disagree on specific arguments raised and positions taken. The death of someone is a time to step back from those individual matters and look at the contribution of that person as a whole. There's nothing dishonest in that.

 

[Optimo]

And of coure Boris' response that is hardly respectful, trying to imply they where on the same side...(!)

Get over yourself. It doesn't come close to saying that.

 

[Greenback]

Lots of us do mean the "so sorry" comments though. In life you can disagree on specific arguments raised and positions taken. The death of someone is a time to step back from those individual matters and look at the contribution of that person as a whole. There's nothing dishonest in that.

Spot on. You can disagree with someone's views, but still respect and even like them as a person. It also works in reverse, although you may agree with someone's ideals, you may not particularly like or respect them as an individual.

 

[GatwickDepress]

You couldn't fault his commitment to his union work. My condolences to his family and friends.

I'm honestly shocked, it was only yesterday I was listening to him talk on Radio 4.

 

[samxool]

I had not seen that post you mention,the man has died,respect is all that is required.

I didn't know bob Crow, or know anyone who knows him, plus as a passenger and taxpayer, I'm not even remotely vested in his work.
I disagree with him fundamentally, he lived on a massive salary & took the ****** by living in a council house. Needless to say, as far as I am concerned, he never earned my respect.
Like I said, condolences to his family, but beyond that, I stand by my comments

He was good at what he did (by sheer bullying) I'll give you that, but it has meant bad news to us fare/tax payers

 

[trentside]

Spot on. You can disagree with someone's views, but still respect and even like them as a person.

How very true.

I didn't agree with Bob Crow over many points, but as an RMT member I respected his ability to stand up and fight for his members, and felt safer for it.

 

[Polarbear]

Like others, whilst I may not have agreed with everything Bob Crowe did, he was definately a man of principle & fought very hard for the members of his union (and for those working in the rail industry as well). In the early 21st century, I find that's becoming a rather rare commodity.

It's a horrble thing to happen to anyone - especially at a relatively young age.

 

[Minilad]

No need for that,we all show respect

And hey presto someone has mentioned it.
So no. Some on here don't

The reason I put the salary comment was because it was a common stick used to beat Mr Crow. And it seems even now some just can't help themselves

 

[ex-railwayman]

Despite being a union member (not RMT) I did not always agree with actions taken the RMT general secretary, despite often agreeing with the sentiments, however he was a man of his convictions, he represented his members interests with a dogged determination and obtained good results for his members. He also acted a spokesman (for good or bad) for the whole railway industry often expressing points of view that were hard to disagree with!

Nicely worded Rich. I only ever met him once, back in 2000-ish, he used to scare the pants off management because they knew they had to be on top of their game to be equal to his stubborn persistence to do things for his members. Even if you didn't like the man, his contribution to the Trade Union movement as a whole in Britain, not just RMT, has been immense in the last 30 years.

Someone once said that if he was cloned every Trade Union in the country could have a Bob Crow as General Secretary, now, wouldn't that have been interesting.

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

RIP Bob you did what we paid you for and did it excellently. Yes you came across as bruttish but it worked. Mine and many other railworkers across this land are in a safer more secure employment courtesy of your leadership. Many thanks

 

[Rhondda Rudie]

RIP Bob you did what we paid you for and did it excellently. Yes you came across as bruttish but it worked. Mine and many other railworkers across this land are in a safer more secure employment courtesy of your leadership. Many thanks

Seconded.

 

[Greenback]

I didn't know bob Crow, or know anyone who knows him, plus as a passenger and taxpayer, I'm not even remotely vested in his work.
I disagree with him fundamentally, he lived on a massive salary & took the ****** by living in a council house. Needless to say, as far as I am concerned, he never earned my respect.
Like I said, condolences to his family, but beyond that, I stand by my comments

He was good at what he did (by sheer bullying) I'll give you that, but it has meant bad news to us fare/tax payers

OK, he never earned your respect and you didn't know him.

But why not just keep silent? It's only a few hours after his death and his loved ones will be grieving badly at this time, so is it really appropriate to bring out the old chestnuts about him being a big bully and betraying his working class roots now?

There are times when it's best to say nothing. You are not casting yourself in a very good light.

 

[jwos]

RIP Bob you did what we paid you for and did it excellently. Yes you came across as bruttish but it worked. Mine and many other railworkers across this land are in a safer more secure employment courtesy of your leadership. Many thanks

Hear Hear!

A giant of a man in every respect.

Irreplaceable, and a hero to many thousands of railwaymen and women.

Our future as those men and women is now less secure through your passing.

Rest in peace brother, and thank you.