Mick Lynch, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), has announced his decision to retire at the age of 63.
Mick was elected general secretary in 2021 after 30 years’ involvement with the trade union including two years as assistant general secretary.
In 2022, he led the RMT into the biggest industrial action on the rail network for more than 30 years, which led to severe disruption across Great Britain. In September 2024, RMT workers voted in favour of new pay offers.
A qualified electrician, Mick worked in construction for many years before “being illegally blacklisted for joining a union”. He helped set up the Electrical and Plumbing Industries Union (EPIU) in 1988.
He joined RMT after he began working for Eurostar in 1993, quickly rising through its ranks and helping to strengthen the organisation.
“It has been a privilege to serve this union for over 30 years in all capacities, but now it is time for change,” he 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.
“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 RMT has said it will appoint a new general secretary in the first week of May 2005. Mick will remain as general secretary until then.
Image credit: RMT
