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Condolences
Frank Keoghan, TEEU general president and
secretary People's Movement Ireland: We have all
lost a great fighter and a man of principle, condolences to
RMT members that have lost a general secretary who
believed in them. Our best tribute would be to carry on
the struggle he believed in with renewed vigour.
Labour MP John McDonnel: "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."
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said Bob
Crow represented the "very best of trade unionism".
WFTU Secretariat: The World Federation of Trade
Unions wishes to express its full solidarity with his union,
RMT, a WFTU affiliate, and its sincere condolences to his
family, colleagues and friends. In honour of his memory,
the WFTU promises to continue and strengthen our
common struggles with RMT.
ITF president Paddy Crumlin: “Bob Crow was a
worker and a leader of the working women and men in his
union, in his country and in the world. His unassailable
courage, moral persistence , generosity of spirit and
inevitable humour inspired and encouraged trade
unionists, civil rights advocates and politically progressive
human beings in every field of endeavour
to be more effective and try harder for
a better and more equitable life for
all, regardless of race, gender,
age or material circumstance.
ASELF general secretary
Mick Whelan: This is a
sad day not just for RMT
and the rail industry but
for the trade union and
labour movement. It’s a
tragedy that he was
taken from us at such a
young age. Bob always
did his best for his
members, and the
transport industry.”
Billy Bragg: Bob was a veteran anti-fascist, playing an
important part in helping to defeat the BNP in Barking and
Dagenham in 2010. Demonised by the right wing press for
standing up for his members, the Labour movement has
lost a real champion of working people. As Joe Hill said -
'Don't mourn - organise'
TWU Local 100 president John Samuelsen: News
of Bob’s death hit us all here in New York like a
sledgehammer and is a crushing blow to workers
throughout Britain and throughout the world. I truly believe
that Bob was without question the most important and
profound voice for industrial unionism and the working
class in the world.
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny: It is with the
deepest sorrow and regret that we learned of Bob’s death.
The loss for members of the RMT is immeasurable. They
have lost their champion. The loss to the trade union
movement and to the cause of advancing the living
standards of working people across the globe is
devastating.
Peter Hooton, founding member of Liverpool band The
Farm, and Hillsborough Justice campaigner: He was a
true working class hero. His adversaries will now deliver
sickening eulogies but his legacy will live on
New Zealand Rail and Maritime Transport Union
general secretary Wayne Butson: Bob was a staunch
and effective advocate for transport workers in his country
and globally, and his loss will be widely felt across the
international transport workers community. I was proud to
call Bob a friend and his oratory never failed to inspire me
to strive harder for our members. Our deepest
condolences go to Bobís family, his workmates, and to
RMT members.
Cuban Confederation of Workers (CTC): "It was with
great regret that we received the news from the Cuba
Solidarity Campaign informing us of the death of the
renowned and tireless RMT union leader, and our dear
friend, Bob Crow.
The CTC found in Bob a true and unwavering friend who
devoted countless years and efforts to the cause of
solidarity with the workers and the Cuban people . We will
always remember his unconditional solidarity to the cause
of the Cuban Five, his fiery expressions of solidarity at the
RMT Garden Party against the blockade and his
unwavering defence of the right of workers and the Cuban
people build a socialist society in the midst of countless
attacks and campaigns. The unions of Cuba extend our
condolences, we will always keep Bob in our memories
and our hearts, because, as JosÈ MartÌ said: "Death is not
true when it is done well the work of life".
Thousands of messages offering condolences have poured in
from around the world here we re-print just a small fraction.
You can leave condolences at www.rmt.org.uk/bob-crow