Union cuts Labour funding by 40% over bin strike

"Workers are scratching their heads asking whose side are Labour on. The union said it would be escalating the Birmingham bin strike because the actions of Labour against the Birmingham bin workers will not continue to be tolerated."

"The dispute initially began over Birmingham City Council's decision to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer posts, and negotiations between Unite and the Labour-controlled authority have so far failed to reach a solution. Historically, the union has been the Labour Party's biggest affiliate, but this has been cut in recent years."

"Unite said residents and workers suffered while the council dither around a deal already scoped out at conciliation service Acas. The council has previously said it would start with a new waste collection regime in the summer, even if strike action continued."

Unite union has reduced its affiliation fee to Labour by 580,000 pounds, a 40% cut representing an unprecedented response to Labour's actions regarding the Birmingham bin workers' strike. The dispute originated from Birmingham City Council's decision to eliminate Waste Recycling and Collection Officer positions. After a year of industrial action, negotiations between Unite and the Labour-controlled council remain unresolved. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham expressed frustration about Labour's stance, questioning whose side the party supports. Unite announced plans to escalate the strike, criticizing the council for delaying a deal already outlined by conciliation service Acas. The council maintains it will implement a new waste collection system regardless of ongoing strike action.

Read at www.bbc.com