Mick Lynch – the face of the rail strikes at the moment plaguing the nation – is a Seventies-style commerce unionist who as soon as sighed: ‘All I need from life is a little bit socialism’ – however now earns a wage of greater than £84,000 per 12 months obtain.
The RMT boss has earned the nickname ‘Mick Grinch’ and was at the moment accused by Good Morning Britain’s Richard Madeley of serving to to bankrupt Excessive Road companies by forcing their shoppers to remain dwelling throughout an important buying and selling interval.
Luckily, issues are trying brighter for Mr Lynch himself, with the union chief boasting a wage of £84,174 – and his whole compensation reportedly rising to greater than £120,000 when different advantages, together with pension contributions, are factored in.
He at the moment lives in a four-bedroom terraced home in Ealing, which is value almost £1 million – a formidable improve on the £394,000 he would have paid for the property in 2008.
Mick Lynch, basic secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), on the picket line at Euston Station in London at the moment
Mr Lynch together with his spouse Mary, an NHS nurse, on the Durham Miners Gala earlier this 12 months
Mr Lynch, who has three youngsters together with his personal with NHS nurse Mary, is initially from Paddington in central London, the place he grew up on a council property as one in all 5 siblings.
His Irish Catholic dad and mom got here to London as youngsters through the Blitz, and Mr. Lynch has described a standard Irish upbringing.
“We did all the standard Irish issues: Catholic major college, Catholic secondary college,” he advised the Sunday Impartial.
‘There have been numerous Irish individuals residing in our neighborhood, but it surely was additionally very numerous. We had been at all times well-fed and first rate, as you’d anticipate from an Irish mom, however we had no ‘spare cash’.
‘For instance, we by no means went on vacation along with the household. Typically just a few of us went again to Eire once in a while, however we by no means all went again directly. It was troublesome to make ends meet with 5 youngsters.’
Mr. Lynch left college at 16 and skilled as an electrician, however was blacklisted for union exercise, so he joined the railways.
The RMT boss has earned the nickname ‘Mick Grinch’ and earns a wage of £84,174 – whereas his whole remuneration package deal is reported to be in extra of £120,000
Unable to seek out work, he began working for Eurostar in 1993 and joined the RMT.
He beforehand served two phrases because the union’s assistant basic secretary earlier than being appointed appearing basic secretary in 2020 as a result of Mick Money’s unwell well being.
He at the moment lives in a four-bedroom terraced home in Ealing, which is value almost £1 million – a formidable improve on the £394,000 he would have paid for the property in 2008.
Regardless of stepping down from his put up after accusing members of the RMT’s government committee of bullying, Mr Lynch received an election and took up the put up completely in 2021.
He was thought-about a centrist in comparison with former basic secretary Bob Crow – however after taking cost he mentioned: ‘The unions should take a militant place – and use the melee the place obligatory’.
A strident Republican, he was criticized for at one level threatening industrial motion through the Platinum Jubilee weekend at Inexperienced Park tube station, the closest to Buckingham Palace, and Euston railway station, one of many busiest within the nation.
However whereas he’s hated by many commuters, his belligerent media appearances have earned him the help of legions of on-line followers.
Right this moment he accused the BBC of ‘parroting’ right-wing propaganda in its protection of the railway strikes throughout a heated morning media spherical.
In the meantime, he berated GMB’s Richard Madeley for “ranting on” whereas being interviewed about widespread industrial motion.
On his Fb web page is the profile image of Mr. Lynch of The Hood, the terrorist and legal mastermind in Thunderbirds
Members of his union will proceed two 48-hour strikes at Community Rail – and 14 practice corporations – from Tuesday and Friday, with additional actions deliberate over the Christmas interval.
Community Rail had supplied a 5% pay rise for this 12 months – retroactive to January – with an additional 4% at first of 2023 and a assure that no pressured job losses can be made till January 2025.
The director of the RMT really useful that the supply be rejected as a result of it was linked to ‘vital’ modifications in working strategies.
Mr. Lynch not too long ago received reward from the New York Occasions, with a current piece by an opinion author calling him an “unlikely nationwide hero.”
December’s ‘Calendar of Chaos’ with strikes in numerous sectors
