Negotiations to resolve the Birmingham bin strike have ended again with no commitment from the council to ensure pay cuts of up to £8000 would not happen. This is different from what that the leader of council has said in media interviews

Unite has put forward a series of proposals which would resolve the dispute, in line with Birmingham council leader John Cotton’s media promise that there was 'no need for any worker to lose pay'.
 

Council pay cut failure

The council has also failed yet again today to confirm whether it intends to cut the pay of hundreds of bin drivers by up to £8000. The council had previously committed to giving this information before Easter. Now the promise is to supply this information early next week prior to the Acas negotiations.

Touching distance

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “We could be in touching distance of a deal but Birmingham City Council is again guilty of saying one thing in public and another in the negotiations. 

“This flip flopping needs to be sorted prior to the Acas negotiations next week, so the dispute can be resolved and end the uncertainty for workers and the misery for Birmingham residents.
 
“The threats of savage pay cuts must also now cease for drivers. Unite has put forward workable proposals. The ball is now in the council's court.”
 

Councils on notice

Sharon Graham added: “Unite is proud to defend our members and we put other councils on notice that if they try cut debt by attacking workers' pay these strikes will spread.”
 

Council dragging its feet

Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: “The council has dragged its feet, Unite has put forward clear proposals to solve the dispute that are in line with the council's needs. We will enter Acas talks in good faith, on the understanding the council will make good on its promise not to let workers lose pay." 
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors:
 
For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.
 
Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org
 
Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org
 
Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham