New development in Birmingham bin strike explained as Unite claims deal progress is being ‘blocked’Bin workers striking outside Lifford Lane in Kings Norton on May 20(Image: Nick Wilkinson)

Furious union officials claimed council commissioners were ‘blocking’ progress in negotiations to end Birmingham’s crippling bin strike.

Unite, the union representing Birmingham’s striking bin workers, made fresh claims today, Wednesday, May 21 saying government-appointed commissioners and Birmingham City Council had “sabotaged” progress in Acas talks, which began on May 1.

Council bosses hit back at Unite’s claim, saying they were “committed to making a revised offer” and it would be untrue to imply progress was being blocked.

READ MORE: Bin workers’ pay talks being ‘blocked’ by government as deal being ‘sabotaged’

The new statements from both sides came as the city’s all-out strike reached its eleventh week.

The action followed a series of walk-outs from waste workers that started in January.

Striking bin workers are disputing the city council’s decision to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) roles from its bin crews, affecting 170 staff.

The authority previously said it had no choice but to eliminate the role because of its implications in equal pay issues.

The council previously insisted a “fair and reasonable offer” had been made to striking workers, with council leader John Cotton adding it “cannot and will not entertain anything that would re-open an equal pay liability”.

Arbitration and conciliation service Acas became involved in negotiations after previous talks between Unite and the Labour-run council ended without an agreement.

Unite boss Sharon Graham claimed the ‘fair offer’ referred to by council officials ‘does not exist.’

There are fears of a return to previously-seen waste mountains after police assistance appeared to be scaled back and go-slow tactics of pickets resumed at the city’s three bin depots.

A handful of police officers were seen at the Lifford Lane site on May 20(Image: Nick Wilkinson)

BirminghamLive spent time at the Lifford Lane depot on Tuesday, May 20 where a handful of bin workers could be seen standing in front of waste wagons.

Each truck turned around after keeping their engines running for around 20 minutes. No wagons left the Kings Norton depot.

“I don’t want to be downgraded. I can’t afford to lose the £8,000 to £10,000, so I’ve got to do it (strike),” one driver told BirminghamLive.

“I don’t what to do it and see the streets the way they are.

“I want to get out there and clean them – but it seems like after 20 years they’ve (the council) have had enough of long-term staff.” Read more in our report, here.

Black sacks and other rubbish piles up in Balsall Heath during the bin strike.(Image: Anita Maric/SWNS)Latest from Unite

Ms Graham said ongoing negotiations had been a “shambles.”

She said: “Unite deals with thousands of negotiations every year. From the council side, the negotiations in this dispute have been a shambles, with the government right at the heart of it.

“The offer briefed to the press for all affected workers never existed and the new ballpark offer discussed at Acas has now been blocked by government commissioners.

“Instead of trying to injunct picket lines and attack workers, the council leader should stop playing games, get in the room and solve this dispute.

“Birmingham City Council’s bin workers, residents and the public at large have all been lied to.

“The bottom line is our members can’t afford to have savage pay cuts of up to £8,000 with no mitigation. Until that issue is addressed, the strikes will continue.

“If Labour is truly the party for workers, how can this government be aiding and abetting these cuts and once again allowing workers and communities to pay the price?”

Latest from council

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “The council remains committed to seeking a negotiated settlement to end the dispute. Our focus has been to find a solution to this that does not put the council in a position that compromise us financially and legally.

“The leader and the commissioners are fully committed to finding a solution to this strike, and it is untrue to suggest otherwise or imply they are blocking the process. This is why we are committed to making a revised offer.

“This is a service that needs to be transformed to one that citizens of Birmingham deserve.”