***RMT-ITF Gen-Sec Bob Crow, 1961 – 2014
The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) is mourning the shockingly early death of our comrade Bob Crow, general secretary of the ITF-affiliated RMT, and ITF executive board member from 2002 onwards.
ITF acting general secretary Stephen Cotton said: “Bob was such a vital, tough, campaigning tower of strength that it’s almost impossible to believe that he is no longer with us. Bob was many things: a true fighter for workers’ rights, an internationalist and an inspiration to the last. He was also a close personal friend. We are all now wishing his partner and children well even as we try to accept his passing.
“His family’s loss is also his members’ loss and the world trade union community’s loss. Bob’s untimely death has left a giant gap in our lives, both personal and as a global activist. He never faltered from the certainty that the global trade union movement could make a difference to workers’ lives. His work mobilising international support for workers, including those of Cuba and Palestine, will live on.”
ITF president Paddy Crumlin said: “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
“Bob was unrelenting in the active prosecution of this vision of a better world. His commitment started with the seafarers and rail workers of his union the RMT and flowed inexorably into the lives of all working people seeking affirmation and justice in the face of often extraordinary deprivation and persecution.
“He spoke with the honesty and directness of his actions and commitments. He was above all a family man who understood that the real wealth and value of our lives also springs from a loving nurturing of those closest to us: our parents, partners children and extended family.
“Our deepest and most sincere sympathies and thoughts reach out to his wife Nicky and children at this most tragic and heart-wrenching point, in the hope that this may ease their great pain in some way.
“Vale Bob our great friend and comrade, constant source of our determination for a more just and humane world. A man greatly loved, respected and admired by all those that believe that the workplace and communities of our lives belong to the many and not just the few. A man of family and friendship. A true internationalist and constant advocate for peace and true justice for all. Now at rest”
FROM UNION HOME:
***Bob Crow 1961 – 2014
by Dan Whittle on Tuesday March 11, 2014
Nautilus International has paid tribute to Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime & Transport union (RMT), following his sudden death at the age of 52.
Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson said he was deeply shocked by the unexpected news. ‘Bob’s drive and commitment to his members was remarkable and he was a tenacious and tireless fighter for the cause of British shipping and seafaring,’ he said.
‘He was a man of principle and passion, and we were proud to work with him on a wide range of campaigns to defend jobs and conditions, and to secure more investment in the employment and training of British seafarers.
‘Behind Bob’s public persona was a really decent bloke – someone who I came to respect as a man of deep principle and determination. He was a formidable negotiator,’ Mr Dickinson added. ‘He will be missed and my sincere condolences are extended to his friends, family colleagues, and his partner, Nicola.’
Mr Crow, who became leader of the RMT in 2002, left school at the age of 16 and his first job was with the London underground, as an apprentice track worker. He became a local representative for the then National Union of Railwaymen at the age of 20.
Commenting on the tragic news of Bob Crow’s death, CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: “Bob Crow was a great leader and he was a great inspiration to rail workers and trade unionists around the world.
“Bob will be greatly missed. He will be remembered for his passion, his commitment and his endless pursuit for social justice. His death is a tragedy and I would like to send my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
ITF acting general secretary Stephen Cotton said: “Bob was such a vital, tough, campaigning tower of strength that it’s almost impossible to believe that he is no longer with us. Bob was many things: a true fighter for workers’ rights, an internationalist and an inspiration to the last. He was also a close personal friend. We are all now wishing his partner and children well even as we try to accept his passing.
“His family’s loss is also his members’ loss and the world trade union community’s loss. Bob’s untimely death has left a giant gap in our lives, both personal and as a global activist. He never faltered from the certainty that the global trade union movement could make a difference to workers’ lives. His work mobilising international support for workers, including those of Cuba and Palestine, will live on.”
ITF president Paddy Crumlin said: “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
“Bob was unrelenting in the active prosecution of this vision of a better world. His commitment started with the seafarers and rail workers of his union the RMT and flowed inexorably into the lives of all working people seeking affirmation and justice in the face of often extraordinary deprivation and persecution.
“He spoke with the honesty and directness of his actions and commitments. He was above all a family man who understood that the real wealth and value of our lives also springs from a loving nurturing of those closest to us: our parents, partners children and extended family.
“Our deepest and most sincere sympathies and thoughts reach out to his wife Nicky and children at this most tragic and heart-wrenching point, in the hope that this may ease their great pain in some way.
“Vale Bob our great friend and comrade, constant source of our determination for a more just and humane world. A man greatly loved, respected and admired by all those that believe that the workplace and communities of our lives belong to the many and not just the few. A man of family and friendship. A true internationalist and constant advocate for peace and true justice for all. Now at rest”
Commenting on the news, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said:
“Everyone at the EIS, and in the wider trade union movement, has been deeply shocked and saddened today on hearing of the sudden death of RMT General Secretary Bob Crow. Having had the opportunity to work with Bob for the past two years on the TUC General Council, I know that he was a highly effective leader and a committed trade unionist who was dedicated to the service of his members. He is a huge loss to the RMT and to trade unionism. The thoughts of all at the EIS are with Bob’s family, friends, colleagues, as well as with RMT members at this very sad time.”
FROM THE ETF:
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PRESS RELEASE
EUROPEAN TRANSPORT WORKERS’ FEDERATION
FEDERATION EUROPEENNE DES TRAVAILLEURS DES TRANSPORTS
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Brussels, 12 March 2014
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ENDORSES
COMMISSION’S LOW-COST APPROACH TO SES2+
Today, Wednesday 12 March 2014, the European Parliament (EP) has voted on the Single European Sky recast regulation (SES2+). Despite the pressure put by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), its affiliates and other stakeholders, the EP did not oppose the European Commission’s approach to dogmatically liberalise the ATM (air traffic management) industry and disregarded its safety-critical aspects.
The ETF, representing more than 25,000 Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) and ATM staff, has been opposing the Commission’s text on SES2+ from the beginning. The proposal introduces competition into all fields with a mandatory structural separation between supervisory authorities and service providers and with performance requirements driven by cost reduction. It also imposes a unique FAB (Functional Airspace Block) model which disregards particularities of individual member states and lacks any human or social dimension: no binding “human factor pillar” and no genuine social dialogue at all levels. Furthermore, with SES2+ the Commission is producing another piece of legislation, while the previous packages – (SES1 and SE2) – have not yet been fully implemented.
Today, the European Parliament (EP) followed the Commission‘s approach. The most controversial elements are still in the text, as among others the unbundling of the so-called support services, namely communications, navigations and surveillance systems (CNS), aeronautical information services, meteorological services and training.
ETF Political Secretary François Ballestero said: “A mandatory separation of supervisory activities and service providers together with unbundling of support services totally disregard national realities in many member states. There is no proof that this measure will increase efficiency, the contrary. The ETF believes that it will create an unnecessary social burden.”
Riccardo Rubini, President of the ETF ATM Committee and active air traffic controller, commented on the safety aspect: “The so-called ‘support’ services are in fact vital to air traffic management. For instance, communication, navigations and surveillance systems containing radio communication, radar antenna and phone communication are the ‘eyes and ears’ of Air Traffic Controllers. Forced unbundling will break the ATM safety chain. On behalf of ETF, I would like to thank those Members of the European Parliament who have supported the ETF demands.”
The ETF is determined to continue its efforts for having a Single European Sky that includes safety and social aspects, being the key factors for success.
For further information, please contact François Ballestero (Tel. +32 474 916979; f.ballestero@etf-europe.org)
FROM THE RMTU:
Media release: Rail and Maritime Transport Union
Wednesday March 12, 2014
***New Zealand union mourns UK transport workers leader
The Rail and Maritime Transport Union is expressing its sorrow at the loss of international union leader Bob Crow, who died in London yesterday.
Bob was General Secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), and was an executive board member of the global body for transport workers, the International Transport Workers Federation.
New Zealand Rail & Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Wayne Butson said that 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 union has had a long association with the RMT and with Bob. He was always ready to lend a hand and commit his union’s solidarity when we needed international support.”
“Bob was an unwavering champion for the right of working men and women to have a fair days pay for a fair days work and was more than willing to walk roughshod over any employer who wished to treat their workers otherwise”.
“Bob was due to speak at our Biennial Delegates Conference later this year. Members had enjoyed hearing from him when he spoke to our conferences in the past and were looking forward to welcoming him and Nicky back to New Zealand.”
“Our deepest condolences go to Bob’s family, his workmates, and to the members of the RMT,” Wayne Butson said.