Striking bin workers threaten violence - councillor

Striking bin workers on Birmingham picket lines have been threatening violence, a councillor claims, as tension continues to grow between the city council and Unite union.

Councillor Majid Mahmood has condemned the behaviour, which he told the BBC included obstruction of bin lorries and acts of intimidation and violence.

However, Unite's national officer Onay Kasab described Mahmood's comments as "smears" that were an "attempt to demonise striking workers on lawful and peaceful picket lines".

The strike, involving about 350 bin workers, has been happening on and off since January until an all-out walkout began two weeks ago.

The industrial action has left rubbish piled high on streets across the city, with waste attracting rats, cockroaches and other pests.

Responding to Mahmood's claims about violence, Mr Kasab said: "The council is well aware that Unite fully complies with the code of practice on picketing and that picket line supervisors are present at every strike to ensure a calm environment and maintain health and safety."

But Mahmood said if striking bin workers "stopped obstructing the highway" and delaying the trucks leaving depots, crews would have more time to collect more waste across city.

However, the union said any delays were caused only by the normal action of asking people not to cross picket lines and to speak to colleagues about why the strike is taking place.

However, Mahmood said: "People should be able to go to and from work without fear and intimidation - that's not happening currently.

"I'm asking Unite to please speak to those people responsible, join me in condemning the acts of intimidation and violence and obstruction of the highway so we can continue to deliver the service to ensure we are picking up the waste people are presenting."

He said the authority had a plan for 90 trucks to leave city depots every day, but staff on the picket lines were slowing the process down.

Mr Kasab said the authority was "shamefully scapegoating" the city's bin workers "for its own failings", and reiterated that the union wanted to see "massive wage cuts" reversed.

"As well as pay cuts of up to £8,000 for 150 workers, the council has refused to rule out further attacks on wages and conditions for the rest of the refuse workforce, including the drivers," he said.

Mahmood rejected the claims, and told the BBC: "Let me make this absolutely clear, every single worker has been offered the same grade and the same pay within street cleaning team.

"Not a single worker has to lose a penny, never mind the thousands that are being talked about.

"Our doors remain open to Unite, please come to the table."

Of the waste building up on city streets, Mahmood said: "There is some fly tipping on the corners of some of the roads, but a lot of that is attributable to rogue traders who have been knocking doors asking for money to dispose of people's waste."

He said the authority was monitoring the sites being targeted by fly-tippers.

"As a born and bred Brummie, I live and represent the Bromford and Hodge Hill ward," he said.

"This is the best city in the world and I'm not going to allow anyone to embarrass the city.

"That's why I'm asking Unite, please come to the table, we want to resolve this dispute."

Further talks between the authority and the union are due to take place on Thursday.

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