The
RMT


has
announced
that
former
railway
worker
Eddie
Dempsey
has
been
elected
unopposed
as
the
new
general
secretary.
He
was
previously
senior
assistant
general
secretary,
and
will
take
over
from
Mick
Lynch
tomorrow.

The
RMT
said
he
has
‘pledged
to
continue
RMT’s
tradition
of
industrial
strength
and
tough
negotiation
to
protect
members’
interests’.

He
joined
the
railway
in
2008
and
has
worked
as
a
member
of
station
staff
and
also
as
a
train
driver.

Outgoing
general
secretary
Mick
Lynch
welcomed
the
election
and
expressed
confidence
in
his
leadership.

He
said:
‘It
has
been
an
honour
to
serve
as
RMT
general
secretary,
representing
our
members
in
their
struggles
for
better
pay
terms
and
conditions.
Eddie
Dempsey
is
a
committed
trade
unionist
who
has
played
a
pivotal
role
in
our
union’s
recent
successes.

‘He
has
the
experience,
determination,
and
leadership
qualities
to
take
RMT
forward,
and
I
have
every
confidence
that
he
will
continue
to
stand
up
for
our
members
with
strength
and
resolve.’

Eddie
Dempsey
said
he
was
‘honoured’
to
have
been
chosen.
He
continued:
‘Our
union
has
a
proud
history
of
standing
up
for
working
people,
and
I
will
ensure
that
continues.
The
challenges
ahead
are
significant,
but
we
will
meet
them
with
the
same
unity,
strength,
and
determination
that
defines
RMT.

‘I
want
to
pay
tribute
to
Mick
Lynch
for
his
leadership
and
dedication
to
our
members
–
he
has
set
a
high
bar,
and
I
will
do
my
utmost
to
build
on
his
legacy.’

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