Union leader Bob Crow passes away
The 52 year old leader of the Rail Maritime Transport (RMT) union Bob Crow has passed away.
He died at Whipps Cross hospital from an aneurysm and heart attack according to initial reports.
Geoff Martin of the RMT said in a statement:
It is with the deepest regret that RMT has to confirm that our General Secretary Bob Crow sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning.
The union’s offices will be closed for the rest of the day and the union will make further announcements in due course. The media have been asked to respect the privacy of Bob’s friends and family at this difficult and distressing time.
A controversial figure, Crow was credited by many with bringing dynamism and energy back into the trade union movement, while securing better pay and working conditions for RMT members.
However, opponents saw Crow's activist union leadership as opposing much needed reforms and causing unnecessary disruption to the travelling public.
Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone has paid tribute to the RMT leader.
Speaking to Sky News, Livingstone said:
He fought really hard for his members. The only working-class people who still have well-paid jobs in London are his members.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson responded to the news, saying:
He fought tirelessly for beliefs and 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
Elected in 2002, Crow became known for his willingness use strikes to gain higher pay and better conditions for his union's members.
Under his leadership the RMT bucked the trend of declining trade union membership. By 2012, trade union membership was half what is was in 1980.
However, RMT membership rose from 57,000 in 2002 to over 80,000 in 2008. In recent years membership has fallen to 70,000.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said:
Bob’s passing is very sad news and the thoughts of firefighters will be with his family.
Bob was a good friend to me personally and to the Fire Brigades Union as a whole.
He was a strong leader for the labour movement and he’ll be sorely missed by those who knew him.