Earlier this week, the Birmingham bin strike took a step up. Frustrated at the council’s illegal use of agency staff to undermine the dispute, pickets exercised their right to walk and stand in front of the entrances to the depots.
Managers reacted by calling the police on the strikers, who made it clear that they wouldn’t be intimidated. In the end there was a complete shut down of all three depots on Wednesday morning while the pickets were in place with wagons parked up and agency staff stood down.
At the Perry Barr picket, the police reportedly turned up, wished the workers good luck, and left, demonstrating the strong support against the proposed cuts to services and workers pay by coppers who have seen their own pay decline in real terms since 2010 by 16% on average.
However, on Thursday morning Unite members returned to the depots to find an increased police presence which the union believes was paid for by the Labour-run council! A tactic brought in by Tory anti trade union laws, being used by a Labour employer.
The workers can tell that the strike is becoming more heated between the strikers and the bosses. Managers who had been friendly enough before are becoming fierce now.
These provocations from the council were met with a defiant rally in town on Thursday where reps discussed the state of the dispute and next steps to apply further political pressure on the councillors. Workers remain determined to defeat these attacks on pay and safety, with plans to go to all-out continuous action from the 11th March if a fair settlement isn’t reached.
Socialist Party members were thanked for their ongoing support while discussing strike tactics and the need for a political campaign against the council linking with those fighting other service cuts. Such as building for a Saturday protest rally, inviting all local trade union branches, council workers, and community campaigners.
This could be used as a launchpad to organise a coordinated fight back against the council's citywide drastic cuts. It wasn't lost on the Unite strikers that these cuts were coming from a Labour controlled council under a Labour government - it was clear we need a new party of the working class.
One striker said: "I'm retiring within the year, but this isn't just about me. We need to protect these jobs for future generations. Young people haven't got decent jobs to go into anymore. All of our industries have been sold off and privatised. All these companies care about is profit."
Another added “It’s a few greedy ****s at the top who’ve ruined this country! We’re the ones who have the power. If we don’t work, none of the rubbish gets cleared!”