Lucy Powell, the Labour deputy leader, has warned that both Reform UK and the Conservative Party could prolong the Birmingham bin strike if they gain power in next week's local elections. She claimed that a deal to end the 476-day dispute is within sight, but that the Tories and Reform might rip it up.
The Labour-controlled city council announced this week that a negotiated settlement is close. Around 400 workers have been on strike since January last year, leading to piles of rubbish across the city. The dispute began over plans to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer roles, which Unite said would cut pay by £8,000 for hundreds of members.
Ms Powell said: 'The bin dispute in Birmingham has caused a stink for local residents for too long. The deal on the table will help clean up the city and is in the best interests of workers and council tax payers.' She added that Labour was founded by working people and continues to fight for fairness, better pay and conditions.
The deal includes a two-year 'cushion' from job evaluation impacts, up from six months, and a route to permanent jobs for striking agency workers with at least 12 months of employment. Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said the offer includes £16,000 compensation for workers, though it has not yet been put to members.
A report by the council's finance director Carol Culley in January said the strike had cost the authority £33.4 million. Ms Powell urged Birmingham residents to give Labour a clear mandate in the local elections on Thursday to support the deal and end the strikes.
