Mick Lynch, the head of the National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT), has announced his retirement after 30 years of service. Lynch became the general secretary of the UK’s largest railway union in 2021 and helped stage several pay strikes that resulted in a deal with the new Labour government this summer. Although celebrated for his directness by his supporters, Mick Lynch was also criticized by his critics for his salary of £84,000 and for the disruptions caused by the union’s industrial action.
Lynch did not explain why he is stepping down as general secretary of the RMT, but he stated that he has been privileged to serve this union in all capacities. He said that it’s now time for significant changes to be made to the organization, and although a strong union is necessary for rail workers, it is important to renew and reform the union’s operation for employees.
A new general secretary will be elected by RMT members to replace Lynch in May. Lynch’s departure marks the end of an era for the country’s rail workers, as he played a significant role not only in their organized actions but also in their wider plight as a demographic.
After leaving school at 16, Mick Lynch trained as an electrician before finding work in construction. During the 1980s, Mr. Lynch became involved in a breakaway union when industrial action was in motion and was then blacklisted by construction firms, making it challenging for him to find work for years. In 1988, Lynch founded the Electrical and Plumbing Industries Union and later joined the RMT.
In 2020, Lynch’s predecessor as general secretary, Mick Cash, retired after six years on the job, citing harassment by members. Lynch became acting general secretary after Cash left, but he resigned soon after, alleging that senior union members were creating an intolerable and poisonous atmosphere of bullying. He later returned to the union, winning the role of general secretary in May 2021
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