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RMT’s Mick Lynch to visit south Wales this weekend

20 Jan 2023 2 minute read
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), Kirsty O’Connor PA Images

RMT’s Mick Lynch will visit south Wales this weekend for what’s expected to be a packed cost of living rally.

Aberdare will welcome the trades unionist who has been the main face of strikes this winter as RMT union members staged multiple walk outs in disputes over pay.

The cost-of-living rally has been organised by Cynon Valley MP Beth Winter and Lynch will address a packed-out St Elvan’s, which has already been booked to capacity for the event at Saturday lunchtime.

The rally will also feature contributions from Council Leader Andrew Morgan, Shavanah Taj from Wales TUC, Rachel Rowlands from Age Connects Morgannwg and Jason Richards from RCT Trades Council, as well as a few songs from Cwmdare Voices male voice choir.

Austerity

This is the latest instalment of an ongoing cost-of-living campaign run by the Cynon Valley MP, following a survey and report, a previous rally in September and a petition which was signed by over 1300 local people.

Speaking ahead of the event, Winter said; “After 12 years of austerity, people in Cynon Valley once again find themselves at the sharp end of a brutal cost-of-living crisis.

“Working people are fighting back, and Mick is currently spearheading that fightback, so I’m delighted that he has agreed to come and speak with us.’

“Cynon Valley and the south Wales valleys have been a hotbed of radicalism and trade unionism for centuries.

“From the first raising of the red flag on Hirwaun common in 1831, to the creation of the Labour party by Merthyr and Aberdare MP Keir Hardie, to the creation of the NHS by valleys MP Nye Bevan, to the Miner’s strike in the 1980s.

“The huge appetite to come and listen to Mick speak goes to show that radicalism and that spirit of togetherness is still here. We need it now more than ever.”


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Iago
Iago
1 year ago

There looks to be a bigger turnout for this person from over the border than a YesCymru march. Says it all really about the state of the Welsh mentality.

Dai Rob
Dai Rob
1 year ago
Reply to  Iago

10,000+ ?

Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
1 year ago
Reply to  Iago

I’m not sure what point you are making. Even if every seat in St Elvan’s is taken the capacity is still less than five hundred – and even with the petition of 1300 is nowhere near the numbers attending Yes Cymru marches.

hdavies15
hdavies15
1 year ago
Reply to  Dr John Ball

I think the underlying point in Iago’s comment is that Lynch is a Unionist. He may be a socialist, but he’s got no sympathy at all for anything to do with independence. Let him shock me and come out today with a declaration in favour of separation as a key step in rectifying our deep seated problems. I’ll eat my hat and yours!

Rob
Rob
1 year ago
Reply to  hdavies15

I lost my respect for Mick Lynch when he came out as a Lexiteer (left wing Brexiteer). He claimed that the EU prevented us from being able to nationalise industries such as energy, rail water etc when numerous countries within the EU have nationalised industries.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
1 year ago

Nearly 200 years of struggle and here we are, still fighting…we really must educate the next generation…

Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
1 year ago

The south Wales valleys have an honourable history of working struggle and success. But that’s what it is – history. I for one am seriously fed up with the likes of Mick Lynch using our history to peddle his views, which incidentally are not shared by many in Wales. While he’s at it, perhaps he would like to tell the audience how he’s struggling on salary of over £100,000 a year? There is a wonderful irony in the location of this meeting Just up the road is a pub named for the composer of our national anthem, perhaps Ms Winter… Read more »

hdavies15
hdavies15
1 year ago
Reply to  Dr John Ball

As I was working down the page I didn’t press on but stopped at the comment above and your response, then waded in. This later comment of yours certainly clarifies your view of the matter. Thanks.

Johnny Gamble
Johnny Gamble
1 year ago

It is the job of Mick Lynch to represent his members interests and its not his job to argue for or against Welsh Independence.
Unless its an open air rally in London no Trade Union leader is going to attract a crowd of 10,000 elsewhere.
Its OK to make comparisons about 10,000 on Indy Marches yet Mick Lynch is a leader of an organisation with over 80,000 members.

Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
1 year ago
Reply to  Johnny Gamble

The majority of his members being in England so the comparison is false.

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