This is the latest development in a long-running dispute between the trade union, representing around 300 waste collection workers and the city council, which serves more than 1 million residents.
The latest round of industrial action relates to alleged payments to some members of staff – represented by the GMB trade union – following strike action in 2017 (see letsrecycle.com story). GMB and the council have refuted the claims made by Unite.
Unite members voted in favour of a work-to-rule and overtime ban over the issue in December last year, before escalating this into a two-days-a-week strike which began last week (see letsrecycle.com story).
Three days of talks hosted by the conciliation service ACAS between Unite and Birmingham council concluded yesterday (26 February), which the union said had failed to result in adequate progress.
However, late yesterday afternoon, the union said that it has opted to suspend strike action scheduled for today as a ‘gesture of goodwill’ towards the local authority. However, further action scheduled for future dates is still expected to go ahead.
Goodwill
In the statement, Unite assistant general secretary, Howard Beckett, said: “Unite representatives cannot be on a picket line and attend ACAS. They have decided to reschedule tomorrow’s strike as a gesture of goodwill to the people of Birmingham and to show their clear intent to use all efforts to reach a resolution.
“Birmingham council needs to grasp this gesture and fully understand that it is drinking in the last chance saloon. If a deal cannot be agreed tomorrow then further strikes action will resume on Thursday.
“It has been hugely disappointing that Birmingham council has failed to appreciate the urgency of securing a deal and their actions today saw them effectively run the clock down rather than reach a deal to end the dispute.
“Birmingham residents are crying out for the council to show leadership to end this dispute. Tomorrow is the final opportunity before further strikes take place.”
Talks
Talks between the council and the trade union are resuming today.
A Birmingham city council spokesperson, said: “We welcome the suspension of the strike action by Unite and that they will be coming back around the negotiating table tomorrow.
“It is in everyone’s interests, not least the long-suffering residents of Birmingham, that the industrial action is brought to an end through a negotiated settlement before Thursday to avoid a decision being taken by the courts.”
The ongoing action has prompted the city council to issue a contingency plan to ensure that waste continues to be collected (see letsrecycle.com story). This included advising residents to use household waste recycling centres to ‘minimise disruption’ and reducing collection frequency in some areas.
Former city council cabinet member for environment, Majid Mahmood stepped down from his cabinet post in January over the dispute.
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