During talks council said more than 70 workers face sack for sending letters of protest and indicated driver pay next in line for cuts

Birmingham council has been of accused of trying to threaten and intimidate workers to break the refuse strike, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

During talks today, the council said it will be issuing compulsory redundancy notices for more than 70 workers impacted by the scrapping of the waste recycling and collection officer (WRCO) role.

The reason for this, the council said, was that they had sent protest letters stating they would be working under duress if the cut was carried out.

This follows days of malicious accusations from council leaders that workers are being threatening on the picket lines by exercising their right to peacefully protest huge pay cuts.  

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The council has tried to smear Birmingham refuse workers with totally baseless accusations of threats and intimidation on peaceful picket lines.

“But the only threats and intimidation have come from the council itself by saying it will fire more than 70 workers who sent letters of protest about the pay cuts.

“The council’s behaviour is absolutely disgusting. Bully boy tactics are just making this dispute worse – our members will not back down and neither will Unite.”   

The council also refused to say if drivers would be next in line for pay cuts after indicating during the talks that their pay grade was being reevaluated.

This confirms the refuse workforce’s fears that the move to end the WRCO role was the first step in a broader campaign of attacks against pay and terms and conditions.

The workers, most of who earn slightly more than minimum wage, already voluntarily accepted cuts to pay and terms and conditions to assist the council after it declared bankruptcy – including giving up £1,000 in shift pay. 

Unite national lead officer, Onay Kasab, said: “There is no positive spin Unite can put on today’s negotiations. 

“Rather than look for solutions to the strike the council instead announced that it will make workers who have already seen their pay massively cut redundant, while it has refused to rule out pay cuts for drivers. Unite will ensure these redundancies do not take place.

“This development will be bitterly disappointing for Birmingham residents but while Unite is prepared to examine all options to resolve the dispute the same commitment does not apply to the council or the government commissioners who have oversight of the city.”

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.