Mick Lynch, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) General Secretary, has announced his retirement whilst gloating that the union "defeated" Tory plans under his leadership.
The 63-year-old served in the RMT in many capacities over 30 years, most recently being elected General Secretary in 2021.
Lynch said that it has been a "privilege" to be a part of the RMT, but "now it 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," he said.
The 63-year-old said: “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.
“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."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Lynch will remain in post until a successor is appointed in May, the RMT said.
He was elected general secretary in 2021 having also served two terms as assistant general secretary and two on the RMT national executive committee.
The 63-year-old said he was proud to serve as both a rank-and-file member and an elected officer.
Under Lynch's leadership, the RMT waged years of strike action over pay and conditions which brought misery to commuters. The union finally accepted a deal with the new Labour government in summer 2024.
He first joined RMT in 1993 whilst working for Eurostar, where he "helped to build a strong branch organisation".
Prior to this, he worked as a qualified electrician for many years until he was illegally blacklisted for joining a union.
He had previously been described as “Mick Lynch the Grinch” by a Tory source. The jab came after a series of strikes in 2022 that disrupted train services across the country during the festive period.
Widespread rail chaos was caused when around 40,000 RMT workers walked out in December and January of that year.
He said at the time: “This latest round of strikes will show how important our members are to the running of this country and will send a clear message that we want a good deal on job security, pay and conditions for our people.”
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The 63-year-old served in the RMT in many capacities over 30 years, most recently being elected General Secretary in 2021.
Lynch said that it has been a "privilege" to be a part of the RMT, but "now it 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," he said.
The 63-year-old said: “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.
“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."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
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Lynch will remain in post until a successor is appointed in May, the RMT said.
He was elected general secretary in 2021 having also served two terms as assistant general secretary and two on the RMT national executive committee.
The 63-year-old said he was proud to serve as both a rank-and-file member and an elected officer.
Under Lynch's leadership, the RMT waged years of strike action over pay and conditions which brought misery to commuters. The union finally accepted a deal with the new Labour government in summer 2024.
He first joined RMT in 1993 whilst working for Eurostar, where he "helped to build a strong branch organisation".
Prior to this, he worked as a qualified electrician for many years until he was illegally blacklisted for joining a union.
He had previously been described as “Mick Lynch the Grinch” by a Tory source. The jab came after a series of strikes in 2022 that disrupted train services across the country during the festive period.
Widespread rail chaos was caused when around 40,000 RMT workers walked out in December and January of that year.
He said at the time: “This latest round of strikes will show how important our members are to the running of this country and will send a clear message that we want a good deal on job security, pay and conditions for our people.”
Find Out More...