Breaking news: in the week that Birmingham City Council have ruled out further talks with Unite members working on the bins and threatened striking workers with redundancy, the union's policy conference has responded decisively.
A near-unanimous vote of delegates from across the UK and Ireland voted to suspend Labour minister Angela Rayner from membership of the union, as well as all Birmingham councillors who are Unite members, including leader John Cotton. If an investigation finds they have brought the union into disrepute, they will be expelled.
In a further historic step, the motion said that if the fire and rehire threat is not withdrawn, the union must discuss its relationship with Labour. This opens the possibility for Unite, previously Labour's biggest donor, to de-affiliate and open up its political fund.
In the same month that Zarah Sultana has stated her intention to launch a new party, this is an ideal time for Unite and other unions to take the lead in building any new party to ensure that it has a pro-worker character with a leadership accountable to its members.
We'll be discussing these questions and more at our next branch meeting:
Corbyn and Sultana Announce A New Party: How Can It Be A Force For Socialist Change?
7pm, Monday 14th July
Top floor
The Wellington
Bennetts Hill
Birmingham City Centre
B2 5SN