Offer ‘watered down’ by government commissioners and council leader after May Acas negotiations must be improved

Nearly 400 Birmingham workers facing brutal pay cuts have voted to continue industrial action, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

The ballot, which resulted in 97 per cent of workers voting in favour of strike action on a 75 per cent turnout, means strike action could last until December.

Strikes began in January after the council told the bin workers they would face pay cuts of up to £8,000 – a quarter of their wages for some. The devastating cuts will leave many unable to pay their bills, rents and mortgages.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “After smearing these workers in public since January and telling them to accept a fair and reasonable offer that never existed, the council finally put a proposal in writing last week.

“True to form, the proposal came weeks late and was not in line with the ballpark offer discussed during Acas talks in May. It had been watered down by the government commissioners and the leader of the council despite them never having been in the negotiations.

“It beggars belief that a Labour government and Labour council is treating these workers so disgracefully. It is hardly surprising that so many working people are asking whose side Labour is on.

“The decision makers at Birmingham council need to get in the room and put forward an acceptable offer. Unite will not allow these workers to be financially ruined – the strikes will continue for as long as it takes. Unite calls on the decision makers to let common sense prevail in upcoming negotiations.”

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065. 

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.