RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch has announced his retirement, saying it’s ‘time for change’.
The 63-year-old has served as the union’s General Secretary since 2021.
Lynch, a qualified electrician, worked in construction before helping to set up the Electrical and Plumbing Industries Union (EPIU) in 1988. He joined the RMT after he began working for Eurostar in 1993.
He said: “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.”
Between the summer of 2022 and 2024, the RMT was involved in several national strikes as part of a row over pay and working conditions, as well as other local disputes with train operators.
He continued: “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.
“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.”
During his time as General Secretary, Lynch has never shied away from airing his views. He accused Conservative ministers of refusing to meet him during the long-running dispute between their government and the RMT.
Earlier this year he described open access operators as 'parasites' during a Transport Select Committee hearing, suggesting they reduce passenger choice.
Lynch will remain in his post until a successor is elected in the first week of May.
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