An end to the long-running Birmingham bin strike is "within sight" after a breakthrough in the bitter dispute over jobs and pay, the city council leader has announced.
Breakthrough in Negotiations
Council leader John Cotton said he believed a new offer could be made to the Unite union, whose members have been on all-out strike for more than a year. The dispute flared over council plans to remove a role in its waste recycling and collection service, which it insisted was necessary to make improvements and bring the service in line with other local authorities. Unite said the move would lead to pay cuts of around £8,000 for hundreds of its members, a figure the council has always disputed.
Impact on the City
Rubbish piled up on Birmingham's streets during the strike, leading to residents complaining about it being a health hazard. The strike has been one of the longest-running industrial actions in the city's history.
Council Leader's Statement
Mr Cotton said: "After months of frustration and delay, for the first time in over 12 months, a negotiated settlement to end the bin strike is now within sight. This has been a challenging and complex process, but after months of hard work, on the principles and parameters of a deal, I believe a new, improved offer can be made and terms can be put in place that addresses the ballpark issues discussed at Acas, that Unite members can agree in order to end the strike once and for all."
He added: "A deal that would be good for the workforce, represent good value for money and would not repeat the mistakes of the past and risk creating new structural equal pay liabilities. I want our workforce to be able to return to work and help us deliver the quality refuse and recycling services the people of this city deserve. That's why, throughout this dispute, I have resisted those who would dismiss the striking workers instead of negotiating. I have instructed officers to move forward with negotiations so that we can bring this matter to a close."
Political Context
The breakthrough was announced just over a week before the local council elections. No details were given about the specific terms of the deal, but both sides have expressed cautious optimism that a resolution is imminent.
