RMT press releases

Huge rise of violent crimes against women on public transport

RAIL UNION RMT today slammed the huge rise of violent crimes against women by more than 50 per cent on Britain’s trains as totally unacceptable.

Commenting on the latest British Transport Police statistics for the past two years, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the union had longstanding concerns about the prevalence of violence on the public transport network. 

“RMT’s own research has also found that 40 per cent of women public transport workers have been sexually harassed.

RMT welcomes government's intention to repeal Minimum Service Levels legislation

Rail union, RMT today welcomed the Labour government's intention to repeal Minimum Service Levels legislation.

The formal repeal of this draconian law will be part of the upcoming Employment Rights Bill.

In the meantime, Ministers are asking departments and employers not to use the legislation and to seek dialogue with trade unions on current disputes.

Labour plan for publicly owned rail network 'in best interest for rail workers and passengers'

Labour have announced that they plan to 'bring train operators under public ownership and control'.

Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary said:

"Labour's commitment to bring the train operating companies into a new unified and publicly owned rail network is in the best interests of railway workers, passengers and the taxpayer.

"We strongly welcome these bold steps to fix 14 years of Tory mismanagement of our privatised railways and Labour's promise to complete a transition to public ownership within its first term in office.

RMT budget response - invest in public services

6 March 2024

Responding to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's budget statement, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:

"This is a budget of tax cuts and gimmicks designed to thinly disguise a Tory government only interested in propping up the super rich.

"The only way you get real growth that benefits working people is by investment in publicly owned public services, transport infrastructure and a general wage rise to increase spending power in the economy.

Final, final pay rise agreed following RMT industrial determination

Tube union, RMT secured a pay rise on LU following threats of mass strike action.

Representing around 10,000 members on the network, the lowest paid will see their wages rise by between 8-10%.

Other workers will see a 5% rise with consolidated payments of £1000.

Those members on less than £40,000 will get an additional consolidated payment.

RMT also secured progress towards enhanced travel facilities on national rail services.

RMT calls for unconditional Tube strike talks with mayor and LU bosses

TUBE UNION RMT today called on the London Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) to enter unconditional talks hosted by the conciliation service ACAS to avert strike action scheduled for later this week.

The union had been invited to talks with TfL earlier this week after London Underground workers backed rolling strike action by over 90 per cent against a below inflation pay offer.

The union also wants to see full staff travel facilities for all tube workers restored to prevent to the creation of a two-tier workforce.

New Tory anti-strike laws attack basic human rights, says RMT

RMT members march, holding a banner that states "Do you know what a picket line is" alongside a photo of RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch

TRANSPORT UNION RMT slammed the Tory government’s Minimum Service Levels legislation announced tonight (Monday, November 6) attacking the right of essential workers to take strike action as ‘an assault on the fundamental freedoms of working people’.

Minimum service level legislation for rail workers, ambulance staff and border security staff will be laid in parliament tomorrow (Tuesday, November 7).

Tube strike action suspended following significant progress made by RMT

Strike action on London Underground has been suspended following significant progress made by RMT negotiators and London Underground Limited (LUL) representatives.

Planned strike action by over 3,000 members on LU stations on Wednesday 4 and Friday 6 will now not go ahead.

Following talks at ACAS, RMT has managed to save key jobs, prevent detrimental changes to rosters and secure protection of earnings around grading changes.

Tory anti-union minimum service laws will worsen industrial relations

RAIL UNION RMT warned today (Friday September 22, 2023) that the Tory anti-union minimum service laws would if used worsen industrial relations, prolong disputes and lead even more days or strikes and new novel forms of action.

The union was responding to a new Transport Committee report released today challenging the government’s ‘minimum service levels’ regulations for railway strikes. 

Tube union, RMT will take strike action on London Underground on October 4 and 6 over job losses and safety concerns

strike flag

Tube union, RMT will take strike action on London Underground on October 4 and 6 over job losses and safety concerns.

The union has been locked in a long running dispute over 600 station staff cuts and detrimental working conditions since last year.

Safety concerns have also been raised regarding fewer staff facing higher workloads, more lone working and increased fatigue.

The job losses planned will affect every aspect of the tube including stations and maintenance, leading to the likelihood of more unstaffed stations and a lowering of safety standards.