In one instance, while engaged in a standoff over the union strikes, Rishi Sunak accused Mick Lynch of being “a Grinch”. For his part, Lynch had declared ahead of UK elections that the removal of the Tory government under Sunak was his “number one priority”
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Mick Lynch at RMT solidarity strike rally at London Kings Cross, 25th June 2022. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), announced Thursday (January 9) that he will retire in May, marking the end of a four-year tenure.
During his time as general secretary, Lynch became synonymous with the rail strikes, often clashing with the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Lynch, 63, has led the RMT since 2021, steering the union through some of the largest rail and tube worker strikes in decades. He gained national recognition in 2022 for leading widespread industrial action that disrupted Britain’s transport network, as the union demanded higher wages amid soaring inflation.
Known for his calm yet combative style, Lynch’s media appearances during the strikes made him a household name. Viral videos of his interviews, where he countered criticism of the strikes with plainspoken responses, won him praise across the political spectrum, according to the Guardian.
Even the right-leaning Spectator magazine lauded his ability to make “mincemeat out of politicians and broadcast interviewers alike.”
Clashes with Rishi Sunak
Lynch often clashed with Su