ZERO HOURS, ZERO SAFETY

FAREWELL BOB Bob Crow was not only a giant of the movement he was just as big-hearted, fearless and generous in his private life which I was privileged enough to be a small part of. Whoever he met, regardless of their standing or wealth, he would always offer his hand with the same friendly trademark greeting ‘How are yer?’ His humour, insight and passion were infectious and it inspired everyone who met him. For Bob the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) was his family and he felt responsible for every member and worked tirelessly for their interests. A perfect example of this was when my father Douglas died, I had no official position in the union at the time but still Bob Crow was on the phone within hours asking after my welfare and offering any assistance he could. I am sure thousands of RMT members will recall similar memories of someone who was deeply concerned with the wellbeing of his fellow man and woman, and that’s why they loved him as one of their own. He often told audiences that fear was contagious ‘but so is courage’ and that was Bob Crow, he instilled bravery, determination and confidence into all those who heard him and worked with him. He also created the conditions for unity under the most difficult circumstances, bringing together those with differing views and developing a way forward without personal rancour or bitterness. Myself and other officials and staff that travelled with regularly him –always on public transport, he never learned to drive – all have tales of Bob being greeted by strangers and members alike with the same fondness, thrilled to meet such a working class leader. In death the right wing mouthpieces of the boss class claimed that he was ‘hated by commuters’ but this was clearly not true. Despite being demonised in the media he was never once confronted or abused on the public transport that he used every day of his life. Whether fighting privatisation or defending ticket offices, people understood that he was fighting for something better and for public services not to be the plaything of billionaire carpetbaggers and shareholders whose only interest was to squeeze profits out of them. He also won the admiration of his deadliest enemies with his easy charm, sharp wit and down-to-Earth intelligence. He was just as happy discussing the fortunes of his beloved Millwall football club or the lowest non-league team to the significance of world weather patterns. He was never intimidated by those who had the advantage of higher education and had little time for pompous posturing. While he held armchair academics in contempt, he always sought expert advice that he trusted and was one of the greatest negotiators the union ever had. Bob Crow was known as a man who could get a deal and when he got one he kept his word. Bob Crow’s shocking death on March 11 at just 52 has robbed us of the most inspirational and effective leader of the trade union and labour movement