Yeah decent amount of praise from both right and left. Although his media profile was overtly negative from my recollection. The press absolutely battered him. And yet, in death, it's very difficult to see any real criticism of him anywhere in the news. Not even in the Daily Mail today. All he did was fervently represent his members with fierceness and integrity. And also success. Strange.
He was criticised for having a large salary but, y'know, the RMT has almost 100,000 members. Anyone responsible for the welfare of that many people draws a 6 figure salary. He was criticised for still living in a council house. But the WHOLE POINT of council housing is that it's for everyone, not just 'the poor'. Lazy journalism - all notably quiet today. Maybe the RMT were too quick to call strikes on occasion but... a few people late for work on a few occasions vs. better pay and conditions for the workers who, largely invisibly, keep the whole system running? Fair trade off if you ask me.
There was a nice bit about him from Paul Mason on twitter yesterday. He said he tried to get Crow on Newsnight on the day that he was elected as head of the RMT. Upon contacting the union he was told he was unavailable because 'he was down the pub with his members'. Fantastic.
RIP.
_________________ Looks like Elijah Wood. Supports Liverpool. Likes Coldplay.
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