The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has ignited a firestorm of criticism after posting a tone-deaf holiday snap from the sunny beaches of Majorca, seemingly mocking millions of Londoners struggling with a devastating Tube strike.
As the capital ground to a halt during a 24-hour walkout over pay and conditions, the union's official social media account shared an image of a clear blue sky and palm trees with the caption: 'Bright and sunny here in Palma... wonder what it's like back in London!' The post was quickly branded 'disgraceful' and 'insensitive' by furious commuters and politicians alike.
Capital Brought to a Standstill
The strike action, which began on Thursday evening, caused immense disruption across the entire London Underground network. Major stations were left deserted during what would typically be the busy morning rush hour, while those desperate to travel faced lengthy queues for replacement buses, overcrowded roads, and lengthy, expensive taxi journeys.
Transport for London (TfL) had issued a severe 'do not travel' warning, advising that most Tube services were suspended and that there would be little to no service on all lines for the entire day. The strike was called by the RMT in an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.
Public and Political Backlash
The union's ill-advised social media post was met with immediate fury. One frustrated social media user responded, 'Whilst you're enjoying the sun, I'm facing a 3-hour commute and losing a day's pay. Not a good look.' Another called it 'an insult to every hard-working person trying to get to their job today.'
Conservative MP Greg Smith condemned the post, stating it showed 'contempt for the very people the RMT claims to represent.' The backlash forced the union to eventually delete the controversial post, but not before it had been widely screenshotted and shared, fuelling the anger further.
Union Defends Its Position
Despite the PR disaster, RMT boss Mick Lynch defended the strike action as 'necessary,' arguing that his members were fighting for a 'fair deal' in the face of below-inflation pay offers and potential job cuts. He emphasised that the union remained open to negotiations with TfL to resolve the dispute.
However, the damage to public perception may be lasting. The incident has been perceived by many as a moment of extreme hypocrisy, showing union officials jetting off on holiday while the city's workforce bears the brunt of their industrial action.
