RMT general secretary Michael Lynch has made the decision to retire at the age of 63 after serving the union in many capacities. He was elected general secretary in 2021.

He also served two terms as assistant general secretary and two terms on the union’s national executive committee executive.

He is a qualified electrician who 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 after the EETPU was expelled from the TUC for making agreements with companies against the opposition of other TUC members.

He joined RMT after he began working for Eurostar 1993 and helped to build a strong branch organisation.

Mr Lynch said that he was incredibly proud to have served the union both as a rank-and-file member and an elected officer.

“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.

“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.

“We can all be proud that our union stood up against the wholesale attacks on the rail industry by the previous Tory government and the union defeated them.

“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”