RIP Bob Crow

Today was a very sad day. 

My phone kept ringing from railway colleagues and friends informing me of Bob Crows passing, the poor guy was only 52. I didn't quite believe it at first. Now I know what you're thinking, 'why would this be sad to you Steve?' 

Not only is this a massive hit to the RMT and its members, but it always feels worse when you've met someone in person. If you read the papers in Britain, all you will see are articles shaming Bob for things such as, living in a council house or earning in excess of 100k a year, etc.

I remember meeting Bob for the first time at RMT's Annual General Meeting 2011 in Fort William. I went up there to learn more about unions, their history and the labour movement. I went with a small group of Young Members who were fortunate enough to have a private dinner with Bob. I used this time to crush headlines about Bob that I had read in the newspapers. I can tell you that he is nothing like the man you read about in the tabloids. 

I remember having an email discussion with Bob at a conference in Newcastle when he expressed his personal opinions about the sovereignty of the Falkland islands. He always put up a convincing argument without being argumentative or unreasonable (as often portrayed in the media).

Like him or not, the RMT will never be the same.

My condolences go out to his family and friends.