Talks fail to end strike by Birmingham bin workers
Union members say workers are being threatened with redundancy
Talks aimed at resolving a long-running strike by refuse workers have again failed to break the deadlocked pay dispute.
Members of the Unite union in Birmingham are holding an all-out strike which has led to rubbish piling up in the streets.
The union met with Birmingham City Council officials on Thursday following talks last week, but the strike continues.
Onay Kasab, Unite national officer, 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."
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."
A spokesperson at Birmingham City Council said: “It is regrettable that it has come to this, the council has consistently tried to find a solution to the industrial action. We have made a very fair offer which means that no worker need lose any money. That offer remains open.
“We confirm that regrettably we have informed Unite representatives that next week we will formally notify and enter a period of collective consultation regarding compulsory redundancies for those who have declined all offers on the table.
“This is about securing a better waste service for the people of Birmingham. We thank staff who are working under difficult conditions and recognise the frustration of residents for which we apologise.”
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