Bob Crow was the most high-profile and militant union leader of his generation. This biography focuses on his leadership of the RMT union, examining and exposing a number of popular myths created about him by political opponents. Using the schema of his personal characteristics (including his public persona), his politics and the power of his members, it explains how and why he was able to punch above his weight in industrial relations and on the political stage, helping the small RMT union become as influential as many of its much larger counterparts. As RMT leader, Crow oversaw a rise in membership and promoted a more assertive and successful bargaining approach. While he failed to unite all socialists into one new party, he established himself as the leading popular critic of neo-liberalism, 'New' Labour and the age of austerity.
Autorentext
Gregor Gall is Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Bradford
Klappentext
Bob Crow was not only the best-known union leader of his generation but also the most militant. This biography examines his leadership of the RMT union, examining and exposing a number of popular myths created about him by political opponents. Using the schema of his personal characteristics (including his public persona), his politics and the power of his members, it explains how and why he was able to punch above his weight in industrial relations and on the political stage, helping the small RMT union become as influential as many of its much larger counterparts. Deploying an array of source materials and a sympathetic but critical approach, the book traces Crow's industrial and political development from a working-class London family - with an influential communist father and early experience of unions - to national prominence within the RMT. His own membership of two far-left political parties did not prevent him becoming the undisputed leader of the left within the RMT, a fact that can be attributed to his forceful and larger-than-life personality. As general secretary of the RMT, Crow oversaw a rise in membership, developed a more assertive and successful bargaining approach with employers and governments, and helped put the union at the centre of the realignment of radical-left politics in response to the hegemony of 'New' Labour. While he failed to unite all socialists into one new party, he established himself as the leading popular critic of neo-liberalism, 'New' Labour and the age of austerity.
Inhalt
Introduction1 Formative years 2 The 1990s 3 Becoming RMT general secretary 4 Second term as general secretary 5 Last term of office 6 Person and personal life 7 Politics and practice 8 Perception and practice 9 Legacy and legend Appendix 1: Testimonies Appendix 2: Tributes to Crow References Index