Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Rail workers’ union leader Mick Lynch announces retirement

09 Jan 2025 2 minute read
The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, on a picket line. Picture by Stefan Rousseau / PA Wire.

Mick Lynch has announced his retirement as general secretary of the country’s biggest rail workers’ union.

The 63-year-old, who was elected general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) in 2021, has led the union through a series of pay strikes over the past two years.

He has held a number of posts in the RMT after working in the construction industry for many years before being illegally blacklisted for joining a union.

Pride

Mr Lynch said that he was incredibly proud to have served the union both as a rank-and-file member and an elected officer.

“It has been a privilege to serve this union for over 30 years in all capacities, but now it is time for change.

“This union has been through a lot of struggles in recent years, and I believe that it has only made it stronger despite all the odds.

“There has never been a more urgent need for a strong union for all transport and energy workers of all grades, but we can only maintain and build a robust organisation for these workers if there is renewal and change.”

Tory “defeat”

Lynch added: “We can all be proud that our union stood up against the wholesale attacks on the rail industry by the previous Tory government and the union defeated them.

“RMT will always need a new generation of workers to take up the fight for its members and for a fairer society for all and I am immensely proud to have been part of that struggle”.

The union said its executive committee has adopted a timetable for the election of a new general secretary which will conclude in the first week of May.


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.