Bob Crow Dies | Breaking News

[LazyGun]

Bit of a shock, given his high profile.

[campbellking]

My union and my professional body which provides liability insurance are as one, so don't have a lot of options. To be honest, I think it's been more of a question of damage limitation in terms of pension contributions etc.
On the surgical ward I also work on, the nurses have just had an imposed change of shift pattern (do 12 hour shifts or go) has resulted in our experienced nurses leaving in their droves.
The NHS is creaking because nobody seems willing to take on board that people are living longer and have more complex health needs, so you can slash budgets as much as you like, it won't help.
Don't think I've ever been exempt from the 'real world', as with many other health workers have had to fund my ongoing training, work unpaid overtime etc

[ToraToraTora]

I think you'd be shocked at how brutal it is in the real "real world" mikey!

[LazyGun]

"I think you'd be shocked at how brutal it is in the real "real world" mikey!"

How is this not an argument for unions? :) The world of work, and employers can indeed be a brutal environment - far better to form a collective to negotiate from a position of strength on matters pertaining to health, working conditions and wages.

[mikey4444]

Sensible point LG !

[237SJ]

TBH though, a lot of the working conditions, health and safety and other issues are now enshrined in EU law - with or without the unions.

[AB Editor]

237SJ - Blair's government did this too. Blair very much refocused Labour on to the needs of individual workers rather than a whole.

[LazyGun]

"TBH though, a lot of the working conditions, health and safety and other issues are now enshrined in EU law - with or without the unions"

That may be so, but I disagree that they would necessarily occurred without the advocacy of unions or that movement. And of course many of those that decry "unions" also reject the notion of the EU and its interference in things like Law :)

[China Doll]

If he was your union leader then I imagine you'd be pretty happy with him.

[baza]

I met Bob years ago when we both had hair, he was loud and flash but he fought for his members, a pity he went so young.

[modeller]

ELVIS //All RMT members have been allowed a days unpaid leave to attend his funeral//

That's nice ! Pity about those trying to get to work . Maybe they would like to go to the funeral instead, if there's transport.

[shaneystar2]

I rather liked him .Very sad at a young age .
He fought for what he believed in .As for the unions, I often think back to my Dad who was staunch union man all his working life .If it hadn't been for the union he would never have had compensation for the industrial disease which eventually killed him.

[emmie]

just heard it on the radio news, he wasn't that old, heart attack?

[emmie]

i didn't like him at all, but i wouldn't have wished him ill,

[Sqad]

emmie.....ruptured aortic aneurysm............then heart attack.

[Wharton]

In yesterday's Herald crossword a clue read - Unionist boast (4). It's the first time I've seen him mentioned on the back page of a newspaper.

RIP Bob Crow.

[emmie]

i heard that it was a heart attack, i passed by a news stand but didn't take a paper, as i was in a rush to get home. His face is on the front page of the Evening Standard.

[modeller]

I wonder if Arthur Scargill will lauded as much by his erstwhile opponents., when he finally departs. I always thought BC was Athur's successor although far more pragmatic.

[LazyGun]

I think Scargill was a far more polarising figure, given the struggle over the coal industry back in the 80s. And I think his memory will be blotted by all the allegations of self interest surrounding the Barbican flat. Based upon what I have read, he has more or less beggared what remains of the NUM.