The Fact Compiler was resting when the sad news of Bob Crow's death was announced.
Bob was a straight dealing man and had an indefatigable belief that railways are very much part of the solution.
And of course he was, and is, right.
He was also a very good friend to Derby!
Eye salutes Bob and sends heartfelt condolences to RMT colleagues and, of course, Bob's family.
That is all.
This from the RMT...
TRANSPORT UNION RMT today paid tribute to the thousands of public transport staff in London and beyond who have been central to the delivery of the successful Olympics and Paralympics which drew to a close last night.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
“This has been a fantastic summer of sport for Britain and as well as the success in the medals tables we have also delivered on the biggest transport challenge that London has ever faced.
“The successful transportation of the millions of extra passenger journeys each day is a testament to the skill and dedication of the workforce and has been achieved through increasing staffing levels and through ensuring a proper recognition and reward for the extra pressure carried by the transport team over the past two months.
“The lesson that has been learnt is that where staff are given the opportunity and the resources, in a spirit of co-operation rather than confrontation, they can deliver gold-standard services that are the envy of the world."
So far so good and quite right too.
But what's this?
After praising the spirit of 'co-operation' Crow Bar reverts to type:
“It would now be a travesty if TfL and the train operators were allowed to slide back to their old position of hacking away at jobs and standards in the drive for cuts and with the Games now successfully delivered RMT is demanding that there is no return to the bad old ways that undermined transport services prior to the Olympics and Paralympics.”
Eye congratulates Bob for being the first to "return to the bad old ways" that undermine transport services!
This from the RMT...
RMT confirmed this morning that Bob Crow has been re-elected unopposed for a further five year term as General Secretary.
Bob Crow will begin his third five year term at the helm of the union in the New Year.
An extra-ordinary tweet from @RMTLondon...
So Ed Milliband didn't go to Durham Miner's Gala as he 'didn't want to share a platform with Bob Crow.'
Eye thought it was only Boris who ran scared of Crow Bar Bob?
Meanwhile, in more encouraging news, the BBC is saying that Petrol-head will meet with the RMT this Wednesday to discuss the Thameslink contract.
To jaw-jaw is better than to war-war.
Exciting news from Crow Bar Bob!
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said
“With forecasters today showing that half a million more jobs are on the block, and yet more evidence that families will be up to a thousand pounds a year worse off under the ConDems, it is no surprise that Cameron and Clegg want to distract attention with their pathetic AV Punch and Judy show."
But what's this?
Apparently Consistency Crow can't walk past a Punch and Judy show without wanting to join in!
Crocodile Crow continues...This from The Sun...
Oh dear.
No love lost between Alan Johnson MP and Crow Bar Bob.
On this morning's Radio 4 Today programme the Shadow Chancellor described the leader of the RMT as coming from 'the planet Zog'.
Evidently Johnson remains to be convinced that there is intelligent life 'out there'.
So the brothers at the TUC annual conference plan industrial action to prevent cuts in public spending.
This nonsense from Crow-bar Bob today:
"The TUC has to be the launch-pad for the fight back against the coalition Government's decision to unleash all out class warfare through their unprecedented attack on our communities, public services, welfare state and transport system. Our defence must be built on generalised strike action and community resistance in the biggest public mobilisation since the anti-poll tax movement."
Meanwhile the ConDems are busy making soothing noises about wanting to "work with the unions".
Ah such innocence!
Perhaps Petrol-head should have a word with LUL management so he can explain to his government colleagues precisely how you work with Crow-bar and his ilk when they decide to undertake politically motivated strike action.
Errr... you don't and you can't and you won't!
This from the Tax Payers Alliance...
With Trade Union Leaders flexing their muscles with strike threats and warnings about impending public spending cuts, the Tax Payers' Alliance presents its first Trade Union Rich List.
The list compiles the detailed remuneration of all Trade Union General Secretaries and Chief Executives whose total remuneration exceeded £100,000 in the financial year 2008-09.
According to the TPA the RMT's Bob Crow earns £105,679 a year.
Now the TPA is not the most subtle of organisations, so to illustrate their findings they provided the following endearing image...
Eye will pay Fifty Guineas to the first industry MD who attempts to tickle Bob behind the ears.
Is the RMT's Bob Crow planning a career change?
This extra-ordinary description of the great man on the Rail Network site:
RMT General Secretary, TV's Bob Crow said: “Despite all the talk about tougher contracts..." (cont' p94).
"TV's Bob Crow"!
Someone better be having a laugh.
Otherwise that's one more reason not to pay the licence fee.
Telegrammed by the Archer
Perhaps Eye readers would like to join me in congratulating Bob Crow on his latest achievement.
Sharp suited Bob makes a guest appearance on the track 'Sweet Revolution' on the new Alabama 3 CD.
Whilst this is all very rock and roll perhaps Bob may want to distance himself from some of the bands other activities ('They party like b*stards' - Time Out).
And in particular their vocal support for the 'Free Ronnie Biggs' campaign.
The success of which caused considerable anger in the railway community.
As former Chief Operating Officer Peter Rayner said:
"One can't forget and one has to be clear that driver Mills... died as a result of injuries from criminals.
"Driver Mills was a man who stood against those criminals and said he wouldn't move his train with its valuable cargo.
"Driver Mills paid the penalty in that. So my feeling is one of concern that the perpetrators have been treated as folk heroes rather than the criminals that we on the railway believe them to be."
Indeed.
UPDATE: This from NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...
Rather unusually, for someone in the rail business I know the Alabama 3 much better than I know Bob Crow.
The Alabama 3 are fellow Brixtonians and I am good pals with the band's drummer, Sir Eddie Real.
The link between the band and the RMT derives from that some (though not all) band members performed at this year's RMT-organised celebration (if that is the right word) of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution.
The Alabama 3's relationship with the Free Ronnie Biggs campaign is entirely separate and personal.
One of the members of the band, Nick Reynolds, is the son of Bruce - one of Ronnie's co-conspirators, see here.
Anyway, all I'll say is whatever you think of the band's views they make great music. I recommend the album 'Exile on Coldharbour Lane'. Sample their tunes here.
UPDATE: This from John B...
Driver Mills died of leukemia.
That isn't, ever, caused by being bashed round the head, any more than being punched in the chest causes lung cancer.
Not sure where the weird urban myth that the robbery was a factor in his death comes from, but it's certainly not true...
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