A National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers official has been accused of mocking commuters hit by last week’s Tube strike while sunbathing in Spain.
Daniel Gibbons — who sits on the trade union’s national executive committee — documented his summer holiday while millions of people struggled to reach the office because of industrial action on the Underground.
Gibbons, from Welling in Kent, took time out of his stay at the £129-a-night BlueSea Club Marthas Hotel Majorca to criticise one woman who complained about the impact of the walkout, the Daily Mail reported.
Mr Gibbons shared a clip from BBC Politics Live of former government adviser Anita Boateng discussing the “frustrating” impact of the RMT’s strikes amid a long-running dispute with Transport for London over pay and conditions.
Sharing the video on X, formerly known as Twitter, Gibson said: “Listen to this person so eloquently talk absolute bollocks.
“It must be a special gift to be that dense. Solidarity to the LUL (London Underground Limited) and DLR (Docklands Light Railway) RMT members.”
In another post, Gibbons winds up those impacted by the walkout when told to “block out the haters”. He responded: “Loving the fact I have them.”
He then posted a selfie of him relaxing in a swimming pool with sunglasses on, featuring the caption “floating”.
One Welling resident impacted by the coordinated action, which lasted from September 7 to 12, said: “This person is just laughing in the faces of all those hardworking people who have been badly impacted by the selfishness of the RMT.
“It is a terrible look for the RMT and will only turn people against them even more. It is childish behaviour to mock those while you’re on holiday. It shows a real lack of commitment to the RMT cause as well to escape on a sunshine break.
An RMT spokesman said:”‘Daniel Gibbons is seconded to our full-time executive through our democratic processes.
“He has holiday entitlements like any other worker and this bears no relation to our industrial relations dispute on TfL.
“He is not a spokesperson for the union and we do not condone abuse of any kind.”
