Union threatens to pull Labour funding over Coventry bin strike
A virtual rally was held by Unite last night
A union says it's stopping its funding to the Labour party in the midlands until a dispute involving Coventry's bin lorry drivers is resolved.
Refuse collection drivers have been on a complete strike since the start of the month, and it's expected to continue until the end of March.
It's in a row over pay and working conditions.
The Unite union general secretary Sharon Graham said during an online rally for the workers last night, that financial support of the Labour Party is now 'under review'.
She said in a message to strikers during the rally: "Let me be very clear, the remaining financial support of the Labour Party is now under review.
"Your behaviour and mistreatment of our members will not be accepted. It's time to act like Labour, be the party for workers.
"The Coventry Labour council has time and again totally misrepresented the union's claims for its bin drivers.
"Other councils up and down the UK have increased pay rates for refuse collection drivers to preserve services due to the HGV driver shortages.
"If other councils can increase pay rates to preserve services and prevent an exodus of drivers, there is absolutely no reason why Coventry council can't do the same."
She urged Labour to "pick up the phone and get this sorted", saying:
"It's utterly disgusting that this council is putting workers through this misery.
"If we have to escalate, we will escalate and I personally will be getting involved.
"If we have to go door to door to tell the truth about this dispute, we will do."
Coventry City Council says it's already one of the highest paying local authorities in the West Midlands for Class 2 HGV drivers.
They've brought in a private contractor to help collect waste, and a number of drop off sites remain open across the city.
We've asked both the City Council and the Labour Party for a comment on Ms Graham's remarks.