NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
More travel chaos will hit the UK as we reach the final countdown to Christmas with more scheduled train strikes taking place across the country today.
Different unions, including the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), Aslef, Unite and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) are all taking part with widespread disruptions across major networks.
RMT leader Mick Lynch has been one of the main faces of the strikes, negotiating behind the scenes and speaking to the media about the action they’re taking.
He has recently demanded a meeting with PM Rishi Sunak after months of failed talks has left parties in an impasse.
But who is Mick Lynch, and what is his salary?
Here’s what you need to know…
Mick Lynch is a British trade unionist who has served as the general secretary of the RMT since May 2021.
The 60-year-old grew up in the Paddington area of London and left school at the age of 16 and qualified as an electrician.
He began working in construction and joined a union which led to him being blacklisted from the trade, which he later received a large settlement for.
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Unable to find work, in 1993 Lynch began working for Eurostar, and became active in the RMT.
He served two terms as assistant general secretary of the RMT and two terms on its executive before being appointed acting general secretary in 2020 due to Mick Cash experiencing ill health.
Despite stepping down from the role, Lynch won an election and took the role on permanently in 2021.
In this role, he has become a key figure in the current rail strikes with thousands of RMT members taking part in planned strikes over jobs, pay, and conditions.
There has been some debate over how much Lynch is paid in his position.
It is widely reported that the trade unionist is on a salary of £84,000.
However, in an interview on TalkTV, it was alleged by Piers Morgan that he is paid more than £124,000 – a figure that Lynch denied.
According to The Sun, Lynch has reportedly earned £763,000 in salary and benefits since he joined the union in 2015.
Lynch has been a prominent figure on TV and radio during the strike action, taking part in a series of interviews.
On the strike action, Lynch has said: ‘Our members will once again take to picket lines in this important dispute over pensions, jobs and conditions.
‘They have been messed around by TfL and Mayor Sadiq Khan. And to add insult to injury, they have not seen the detail of this funding letter from Government.
‘Unless there can be assurances made about jobs, pensions and detrimental changes to working conditions, then our strikes in August will go ahead.’
Lynch has also accused rail companies of failing to offer an improved deal after June’s three walk-outs.
He said companies are ‘ransacking’ terms and conditions, adding: ‘RMT will continue to negotiate in good faith but we will not be bullied or cajoled by anyone.
‘The government need to stop their interference in this dispute so the rail employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us.’
MORE : It’s been nearly 100 years since the last general strike – The Tories’ disregard for workers means another is inevitable
MORE : New Year new strikes: All of UK’s rail companies to stage walk out on January 5
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