Bob Crow
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"Robert "Bob" Crow" was a British 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. 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.

Born in East London, Crow joined London Transport in 1977 and soon became involved in trade unionism.

He was regarded as part of the "Awkward Squad (trade unions)/Awkward Squad", a loose grouping of left-wing union leaders who came to power in a series of electoral victories beginning in 2002. 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.

Crow was a polarising figure in British politics. Supporters praised him as a champion of the working class and a successful trade unionist; critics argued that he held London to ransom with strikes and placed union members above other working people.

More Bob Crow on Wikipedia.

There needs to be four times as many track inspectors.

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A track inspector will have miles and miles of track to cover.

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Given the urgency of the situation and the fact that it can take up to a month to ballot, we will not be sitting on our hands.

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The number of staff being displaced is many times the 200 we were told would be the case during negotiations.

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Without these enforceable minimum standards, operators will be invited to cut corners and compromise fire safety.

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I think it is scandalous what has been put around in the media this weekend about this being a one-off.

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We have been seeking talks with London Underground over the safety issues at the heart of the current dispute and we welcome the opportunity to meet the company at ACAS tomorrow.

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This wasn't a one-off. I don't think it was sabotage, I think the vibrations of the train allowed the nuts to come off the bolts.

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The private sector is making millions each week out of its contracts on the Tube. Yet it is not only failing to deliver promised improvements but has also demonstrably failed to maintain a crucial safety system to acceptable standards.

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