Bob Crow
British trade union leader / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Robert Crow (13 June 1961 – 11 March 2014) was an English trade union leader who served as the General Secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) from 2002 until his death in 2014. He was also a member of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress (TUC). A self-described "communist/socialist", he was a leading figure in the No to EU – Yes to Democracy campaign.
Bob Crow | |
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Born | Robert Crow (1961-06-13)13 June 1961 Epping, Essex, England |
Died | 11 March 2014(2014-03-11) (aged 52) Whipps Cross, London, England |
Nationality | English |
Occupation | Trade union leader |
Political party | Communist Party of Britain |
Other political affiliations | Communist Party of Great Britain |
Spouse | Geraldine Horan (divorced) |
Children | 2 |
Crow joined London Transport in 1977 and soon became involved in trade unionism. He was regarded as part of the Awkward Squad, a loose grouping of left-wing union leaders who came to power in a series of electoral victories beginning in 2002.[1] After he became leader, the RMT's membership increased from around 57,000 in 2002 to more than 80,000 in 2008, making it one of Britain's fastest-growing trade unions.[2][3][4]
Crow was a polarising figure in British politics. Supporters praised him as a champion of the working class and a successful trade unionist;[5][2] Boris Johnson argued that he held London to ransom with strikes.[6]