Union boss Mick Lynch threatens general strike on Britain as 24-hour rail stoppage starts
UNION baron Mick Lynch last night threatened to inflict a general strike on Britain as a 24-hour rail stoppage begins today.
The RMT boss vowed to drag the “entire trade union movement” into a 1926-style mass walkout if they are prevented from paralysing the economy.
He also opened the door to rail strikes continuing into next summer.
It came after Tory leadership candidate Liz Truss said she would impose strike restrictions on rail workers to keep Britain moving.
Lynch, whose union has rejected a Network Rail pay offer worth eight per cent without consulting members, claimed such a move would “make effective trade unionism illegal”.
He ranted: “If these proposals become law, there will be the biggest resistance mounted by the entire trade union movement, rivalling the general strike of 1926.”
He added that two-week rail staff walkouts may follow this year “if we don’t get the deal we need”.
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Lynch also said he’ll seek another six-month strike mandate when the current one ends, raising the spectre of strikes into next summer.
Some 40,000 rail workers from 14 train operators will walk out today, with 80 per cent of train services set to be cancelled.
Train drivers’ union ASLEF is to strike on Saturday.
Further RMT strikes are planned for Thursday, August 18, and Saturday, August 20.
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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Union bosses are once again trying to cause as much disruption as possible to millions of hard-working people.
“In my three years as Transport Secretary, there’s not been a single day when unions haven’t threatened or been taking industrial action.
“I urge the RMT, and all unions, to stop holding the country to ransom, get off picket lines and back to the negotiating table.
“If not, we risk passengers turning their backs on the railway for good.”
Heathrow TikTok rap
HEATHROW boss John Holland Kaye blamed TikTok for adding to the chaos at the airport.
He said demand shot up after a user of the app faked an injury to get wheelchair assistance and a fast-track on to a flight.
The chief executive said: “That is absolutely the wrong thing to be doing. Please don’t do that.”
He also blamed security delays on passengers trying to take through too much make-up.
He said many did not realise some cosmetics, such as mascara, must go in the one-litre transparent bag allowed for liquids.