The leader of a militant rail union blamed for months of transport disruptions has resigned after charges of sexual harassment and abuse.
This Monday, Manuel Cortes resigned as general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) following the extension of an investigation into his alleged misbehavior.
Along with Rail, Maritime and Transport boss Mick Lynch and Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan, he was one of the three leaders responsible for a wave of strike action designed to paralyze the country.
This Monday, Manuel Cortes resigned as general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) following the extension of an investigation into his alleged misbehavior.
Gibraltar-born Cortes was a strong backer of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour leadership bid and had planned to retire this year prior to the emergence of charges of misbehavior.
The 55-year-old is accused of unwanted touching and demanding kisses from women he worked with.
He has apologized for the pain his behavior has caused, but he has refuted charges of harassment.
It follows the appointment of Baroness Helena Kennedy KC to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and bullying within the organization.
Lady Kennedy has demanded that a leadership election for Cortes’ replacement be postponed until her conclusions are finalized, despite the fact that she was originally slated to submit them before Christmas.
Monday, after 11 years as general secretary, he agreed to resign to avoid violating trade union statutes.
The leader of a militant rail union blamed for months of transport disruptions has resigned after charges of sexual harassment and abuse.
Former assistant general secretary Frank Ward has been appointed provisionally ahead of an election in early 2023.
I wish him [Cortes] a long and healthy retirement,’ he remarked. Cortes was granted an additional year in command during 2022 as a result of the aftermath from Covid, but union leadership elections must occur every five years.
Cortes, who was born in Gibraltar, was a strong backer of Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign for the Labour leadership and had expected to retire this year before charges of misbehavior surfaced.
It comes as TSSA prepares to begin additional strike action in November and a winter of disruption looms for the United Kingdom.