LEGENDARY union leader Mick Lynch announced plans to retire from his role as general secretary of RMT today.

The 63-year-old has held the position since he was elected in 2021. 

He went on to lead one of the largest strike waves in the union’s history, fighting for better pay and conditions for 53,000 members.

Mr Lynch joined RMT after he began working for Eurostar 1993. 

He served the union in a number of capacities, including two terms as assistant general secretary and two terms on the union’s national executive committee executive.

Announcing that he will step down in the summer, Mr Lynch said: “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.”

A new general secretary will be elected at the end of May, RMT said.