Jim McMahon, the local government minister in Birmingham, met with council chiefs today to try to end the bin strike in the city.
Downing Street stated that the government “would not hesitate to act” in the event the council required support.
A dispute between refuse collectors has led to the accumulation of tonnes of garbage on the streets.
The official spokesperson for the Prime Minister told reporters that: “We are looking forward to an immediate agreement on the waste dispute, which is causing residents misery and inconvenience.”
Minister McMahon is visiting Birmingham today, to meet with Birmingham’s senior officers, commissions, and political leadership, to discuss the issue.
We will not hesitate to take action if the council requires additional support.
Ellie Reeves, Labour Party Chairwoman told BBC that “conversations are taking place” in Birmingham. She did not wish to “cut across the negotiations” with unions.
Lucy Powell, the leader of the House of Commons and Minister of the Government, urged Unite “to step up” and to continue discussions with the council in order to reach an understanding.
Powell responded to the criticism of the Conservatives regarding the dispute that began last month, and led to being declared this week on 1 April. Powell said: “I visited my in-laws in Birmingham last weekend and my husband’s parents and I found the situation to be totally unacceptable. It is horrible what the people there are living with, and we want it to end immediately.”
Powell said, “I believe there is a reasonable deal on the table. The trade union and council should reach an agreement very quickly.” At the same time, the Conservatives were accusing Labour of being slow to resolve the dispute.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, claimed earlier this week that the council was “determined” to “impose its plan of pay cuts and demotions at any cost”.
She said, “If it means spending more money than would be required to settle the strike fairly, then they don’t care.”
Graham said that the pay and conditions of refuse workers were cut, with most earning less than minimum wage. This included PS1,000 shift pay. She said that the removal of the WRCO (Waste Collection and Recycling Officer) role had a direct impact on 150 workers with pay cuts up to PS8,000. “This also ended fair pay progression for many others”, she added.
Subscribe to our weekly HR news and guidance
Every Wednesday, receive the Personnel Today Direct newsletter.
Personnel Today has the latest HR job openings.
Browse Human Resources Jobs
