{"id":86833,"date":"2025-05-09T08:02:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T08:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/86833\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T08:02:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T08:02:08","slug":"mass-picket-shuts-birmingham-bin-depot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/86833\/","title":{"rendered":"Mass picket shuts Birmingham bin depot"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\tLabour<\/a><\/p>\n

Working class solidarity has humbled a scab Labour council in Birmingham <\/p>\n

By Arthur Townend in Birmingham <\/b><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tDownloading PDF. Please wait…<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"On<\/p>\n

On the mass picket in Birmingham<\/p>\n

Hundreds of bin strikers and supporters have forced Labour council bosses in Birmingham<\/a> to shut the Lifford Lane depot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Trade unionists from across Britain have gathered outside the depot this morning to show solidarity with the indefinite refuse strike.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Just one van tried to leave the deport early. But strikers blocked it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is brilliant today,\u201d Unite union striker Ben told Socialist Worker. \u00a0\u201cThe levels of solidarity and the show of support from beyond Birmingham\u2014it proves how strong workers and unions really are.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Striker Steve told Socialist Worker, \u201cBrilliant, fantastic, unreal\u2014we knew this type of solidarity was happening, but didn\u2019t know the numbers. The more we do this, the more we get our point across.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day\u2014do this every day if you ask me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Labour council\u2014backed all the way by the Starmer government\u2014declared war on the bin workers.<\/p>\n

Bosses sent police to break up picket lines that were stopping trucks from leaving the depots. And they declared a \u201cmajor incident\u201d so it could use agency vehicles and workers as scab labour to undermine the strike.<\/p>\n

Today, the trade union movement has drawn a line in the sand\u2014and shown that solidarity and escalation works.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mick Whelan, general secretary of the Aslef train drivers\u2019 union, told Socialist Worker, \u201cWhat\u2019s happened today is stunning. I\u2019ve always believed in direct action. People are desperate, and want to articulate their voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are so many other groups here supporting, unions, community groups\u2014it shows they believe in the righteousness on the works. I\u2019m incredibly proud to stand here today, and humbled by the level of support.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Sheffield, refuse workers in the Lumley Street depot have been on strike for ten months over union recognition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One worker told Socialist Worker, \u201cWe\u2019re here because we want to show solidarity with fellow striking workers\u2014with any workers in dispute.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cA mass picket is so effective. The council made no attempt to cross the picket. When the council sees a critical mass of people, it has to listen.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we obstruct profits, it forces them to think, and the council has to resolve this.\u201d<\/p>\n