RMT chief Mick Lynch compares government to 'repressive regimes like China' in LBC phone-in

4 January 2023, 12:07 | Updated: 4 January 2023, 13:15

Mick Lynch has railed against the government's proposed anti-strike law
Mick Lynch has railed against the government's proposed anti-strike law. Picture: Getty/LBC

By Kit Heren

Mick Lynch has compared the government's proposed anti-strike laws to oppressive regimes like China and communist Poland, as he accused ministers of plans to "conscript" workers to cross picket lines.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The government is looking to bring in new laws forcing rail workers to provide minimum levels of service, even when union members are on strike - a measure RMT boss Mr Lynch and other union chiefs have vowed to fight.

"Basically you’re talking about the conscription of labour even during a lawful dispute, and I would have to name my members that went to work to break their own picket lines," Mr Lynch told listeners to LBC's James O'Brien's show during a phone-in on Wednesday.

"And that’s unacceptable in a free society.

"We’re always being told that repressive regimes do things against the public. And of course the mark of what went on in Poland, and what goes on in China, and probably Russia and other repressive regimes, is that the trade unions aren’t free."

Read more: Back to work hit by strikes: Commuters face days of travel chaos with fresh walkouts on Tuesday

Read more: Deal to halt rail strikes 'within touching distance' but unions told 'no bottomless pit of cash' ahead of more walkouts

RMT's Mick Lynch accuses the government of trying to 'conscript' worker with anti-strike legislation

The proposed new law comes against the backdrop of widespread strikes on the railways, as well as among nurses, ambulance workers and postal workers, among many others.

RMT members working for railway operators and Network Rail are on strike for four days this week, with train drivers' union Aslef striking on Thursday.

Mick Lynch: 'Government are blocking the sensible negotiation'

Mr Lynch said that the law would mean unions and employers would have to agree which striking employees would have to go to work to fulfil minimum service levels.

If they were unable to agree, the union and even employees themselves could get in legal trouble.

Mr Lynch said that the legislation, expected to be tabled next week when MPs return to parliament, would hamper trade unions' ability to "fight poverty".

Rail workers are striking over a pay and conditions dispute
Rail workers are striking over a pay and conditions dispute. Picture: Getty
Mick Lynch has compared the government to authoritarian regimes like China
Mick Lynch has compared the government to authoritarian regimes like China. Picture: Getty

He added: "We want the ability to do that - what we’re going to do is join up with the other unions as you’d expect, to campaign against that in parliament… we’re hoping the Labour Party will oppose these things."

Mr Lynch described the right to strike as "a fundamental human right".

"If you’re not able to do that, the employer and the government can dictate to you what you do as a previously free individual, and that’s not acceptable," he added.

"I think all democrats and people of good will should be opposed to the trade unions being corralled in this way."

Mick Lynch on the picket line at Euston on Tuesday
Mick Lynch on the picket line at Euston on Tuesday. Picture: Getty

It comes amid fears that the strikes could snowball into a general strike - when several unions strike together to put political pressure on the government.

Asked about the Mr Lynch said: “unions would be daft if they didn’t try to synchronise their action."

But he added: “I don’t think we’ll get a general strike as we understood it in 1926. It’s very difficult to synchronise that and stay within the law.”

He said there was no coordination between the upcoming Aslef strike with the current RMT action.

Mick Lynch with striking workers this week
Mick Lynch with striking workers this week. Picture: Getty

Meanwhile the boss of one of the train companies whose workers are striking said that operators and unions would have to come to an agreement "sooner rather than later" because of the sheer inconvenience to passengers.

Southeastern managing director Steve White said on social media: "We all share the frustration that the industry-wide talks with the trades unions have, to date, made limited progress and that Southeastern talks have so far been impossible.

"This has to change and sooner, rather than later. This is our most important priority for the New Year because the year ahead is an important one for rail.

“We need to quickly find a peace that all parties can live with and we need to come together again with a relentless focus on our customers, who can never be taken for granted.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Kids holding hands on way to school

Deteriorating relations between parents and schools ‘affecting pupil behaviour’

Headspace meditation app on an iPhone.

AI companion for mindfulness could help ‘bridge gaps’ in mental health care

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 18th Apr, 2025. Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing with Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal. 18.04.2025.

Max Verstappen's woes continue as Pierre Gasly quickest in Saudi practice

The Val Thorens French resort

British man, 27, falls 50ft to his death after 'exceptional' avalanche hits top French ski resort

A person has died trying to cross the Channel

Migrant dies attempting to cross the English Channel

Rochdale's Joe Thompson is given a guard of honour before kick off after having to retire from the game due to battling cancer

Former Manchester United and Rochdale star Joe Thompson dies aged 36 after cancer battle

The animal has been handed over to the RSPCA

Police discover four-foot-long caiman during raid on Essex home

A traffic jam on the M8 Motorway and Kingston Bridge approach roads in Glasgow city centre, Scotland, UK

Easter travel warning as 19 million Brits to hit UK roads amid airport strikes, train cancellations and bad weather

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling joins Star Wars: Starfighter as he promises to 'shine a light' on iconic franchise

The US will 'move on' from peace talks if a deal can't be agreed

US warns it will 'move on' from Ukraine peace talks if progress isn't made in coming days as minerals deal edges closer

Energy bills could rise once again.

Brits could face £100 more in household bills if UK signs up to EU Net Zero scheme, Tories claim

woman in military uniform holding happy daughter at home

Military families set for housing boost as Defence Sec pledges to ‘stop the rot’

Actor Haley Joel Osment attends the 2025 PaleyFest LA - "Poker Face" event at the Dolby Theatre on March 29, 2025 in Hollywood, California.

Oscar-nominated ‘Sixth Sense’ actor Haley Joel Osment charged with public intoxication and cocaine possession

Commuters walk along a packed platform after a single train arrived during the morning rush hour, at Waterloo Station in London on April 8, 2024.

Millions set to face heavy disruption in Easter travel plans due to engineering works, strikes, traffic and flooding

Luigi Mangione, the suspect indicted in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson arriving at the South Street Helipad in New York City on December 19, 2024.

Luigi Mangione indicted on federal murder charge over CEO killing as US pushes for death penalty

Firefighters are battling a major blaze at a historic First World War airfield - as residents were warned to stay indoors due to fears over asbestos in the smoke.

Firefighters battle huge blaze at historic WWI airfield as residents warned of asbestos in smoke