Reform and Tories would prolong Birmingham bin strike warns Labour deputy leader

An end to the Birmingham bin strikes is on the ballot paper when voters go to the polls next week, the Labour deputy leader has claimed. Lucy Powell MP welcomed the deal struck between Labour and Unite union, but warned both Reform and Tories could rip it up and prolong the crisis . The Labour-controlled city council announced this week that a negotiated settlement to bring the bitter 476-day dispute to a close is "within sight". Around 400 workers have been taking part in strikes since January last year, and the tense stand-off has seen rubbish piled up across the city for months . Ms Powell, the MP for Manchester Central, said: “The bin dispute in Birmingham has caused a stink for local residents for too long. The deal on the table will help clean up the city and is in the best interests of workers and council tax payers. Labour was founded by working people who wanted fairness, better pay and conditions and stronger rights at work and Labour continues to fight for that today. “After the Labour Leader John Cotton decided to change tack, and thanks to the engagement by Unite and Sharon Graham, a deal to finally end the strikes is on the table. It’s clear that Reform and the Tories want to take a different course which would prolong the dispute. If the residents of Birmingham want to end the strikes and support the deal that’s been struck between the Labour leadership and unite, then they need to give Labour a clear mandate at these local elections in Birmingham on Thursday.” The dispute first began over council plans to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) roles. Unite said the move would lead to pay cuts of around £8,000 for hundreds of its members - a figure the council disputes. In January a report by the council's director of finance Carol Culley said the strike action had cost the authority £33.4million. Unite said the agreement would ensure workers get at least a two years 'cushion' from the impact of the job evaluation process. This had previously been six months. Striking agency workers with at least 12 months of employment will also be offered a route to permanent jobs. Onay Kasab, Unite national lead officer, said the offer, which has not yet been put to the union’s members, includes compensation of £16,000 for workers.