Mick Lynch has announced he is to retire as general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).
He said in a statement published on Thursday (January 9) that he felt incredibly proud to have served the union both as a rank-and-file member and elected officer.
Mr Lynch, 63, added: “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 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.”
He said all members can be be proud the union stood up against wholesale attacks on the rail industry by the previous government andm that “the union defeated them”.
The firebrand leader added: “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 said the search for a new General Secretary will conclude in the first week of May, with Mr Lynch remaining at the helm until his successor is chosen.
Mr Lynch has held a number of posts in the RMT after working in the construction industry for many years before being illegally blacklisted for joining a union.
He became General Secretary in 2021, inflicting a series of crippling strikes on rail travellers in disputes over pay in the past two years.
A walk out by RMT members at Avanti West Coast in a dispute over rest day working caused misery for travellers faced with disrupted services on New Year’s Eve. More walkouts are planned.
Mr Lynch became a familiar face during the RMT strikes of 2022-24, with frequent appearances on the , Sky News, ITV and others. He has also been a regular panellist on .
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Before becoming General Secretary, Mr Lynch was Assistant General Secretary at the RMT.
He developed a reputation as a firebrand union leader in part by publicly criticising former Mayor of London and prime minister ‘s suggestion driverless trains should be a condition for funding Transport for London services.
The union boss hit the headlines numerous times, criticising for attacking him over his use of an image of The Hood from the children’s TV show, Thunderbirds, as his Facebook profile picture.
Former prime minister, , accused Mr Lynch of being the “Grinch” and trying to “steal Christmas” in a row sparked by a previous dispute.
In 2023, he criticised plans to close railway station ticket offices, telling a Commons committee it would lead to people avoiding train travel at night besides impacting the elderly and disabled.
The Cork City fan has said previously that his political hero is the Scots-born Irish republican and trade union leader, James Connolly.