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RMT union general secretary Bob Crow dies | RMT union general secretary Bob Crow dies |
(35 minutes later) | |
General secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport union Bob Crow has died aged 52 | General secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport union Bob Crow has died aged 52 |
In a statement on its website, the union said he died in the early hours of Tuesday morning. | In a statement on its website, the union said he died in the early hours of Tuesday morning. |
London Mayor Boris Johnson, with whom he clashed over plans for the Tube, said: "I am shocked. Bob Crow was a fighter and a man of character." | |
Mr Crow was elected general secretary of the RMT in 2002 following the death of former leader Jimmy Knapp. | Mr Crow was elected general secretary of the RMT in 2002 following the death of former leader Jimmy Knapp. |
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Crow "was, some argue, the most successful union leader in terms of securing jobs and pay for his members". | The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Crow "was, some argue, the most successful union leader in terms of securing jobs and pay for his members". |
Only a day before his death, he told BBC Radio 4's PM programme that MPs deserved a pay rise. | Only a day before his death, he told BBC Radio 4's PM programme that MPs deserved a pay rise. |
'Sad day' | |
Mr Johnson said in a statement: "Whatever our political differences, and there were many, this is tragic news." | |
"Bob fought tirelessly for his beliefs and for 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. | |
"It's a sad day." | |
Former mayor Ken Livingstone told Sky News: "Young people will learn lessons from him and realise he stood up for his members." | |
He added: "He was great company." | He added: "He was great company." |
Born in 1961 in east London, Mr Crow got his first job on the underground at the age of 16, fixing rails and cutting down trees on the track. | Born in 1961 in east London, Mr Crow got his first job on the underground at the age of 16, fixing rails and cutting down trees on the track. |
Last month, he joined his members on the picket line during a Tube strike, called in protest at the mayor's plan to close ticket offices. | |
Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, which also took part in the strike, said: "Bob Crow was admired by his members and feared by employers, which is exactly how he liked it. | |
"It was a privilege to campaign and fight alongside him because he never gave an inch." | |
TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said he was "an outstanding trade unionist, who tirelessly fought for his members, his industry and the wider trade union movement". | |
Many MPs also took to Twitter to pay tribute to Mr Crow. | |
Labour's John McDonnell wrote: "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." |