Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has thrown his support behind striking Birmingham bin workers, warning that defeat in their dispute could trigger wage cuts across councils nationwide. The MP for Islington North addressed more than 100 workers and protesters at a "mega-picket" outside a council refuse depot in Tyseley.
His intervention came just a day after Birmingham City Council launched contempt of court proceedings against the Unite trade union over the all-out strike that began in March. Corbyn blamed central government underfunding of local authorities for the crisis gripping Britain's second-largest city.
Corbyn blames Commonwealth Games spending
"It wasn't the Birmingham bin workers that spent ludicrous amounts of money on the Commonwealth Games," Corbyn told the crowd. "And it wasn't the bin workers who created any of the problems that Birmingham faces. They are the people that keep this city clean."
The former Labour leader argued that Birmingham's financial troubles reflect a nationwide crisis in local government funding. "The financial issues that affect Birmingham are actually there in almost every local authority in the country, particularly in the big urban cities," he said.
Warning over national implications
Corbyn warned that the outcome of Birmingham's dispute would have far-reaching consequences for workers across Britain. "If we win in Birmingham and they are not allowed to cut wages, not allowed to destroy conditions, not allowed to damage the working rights of bin workers, that's a huge victory," he said.
"But if we lose, think which city is going to be next. That is the point. And so I say to the wider community - get behind the Birmingham bin workers." The mega-picket involved members of 26 organisations protesting at five sites in Birmingham and Coventry on Friday.
Council launches court action
Birmingham City Council said on Thursday it had "persistent evidence" of breaches of a court order previously agreed with Unite. A council spokesperson said the injunction prevents blocking of refuse collection vehicles at depots and on streets.
"Since the injunction was granted, vehicles have been blockaded on roads to and from our depots, with Unite representatives and members stepping in front of, and even leaning against, moving heavy vehicles and blocking road junctions," the spokesperson said. The council cited safety concerns for both the city and workforce.
Unite dismisses court application
A Unite spokesperson dismissed the court application as "the latest distraction from the real task of resolving the ongoing dispute". The union said court papers would be subject to careful review and their interests would be fully represented at any future hearing.
Speaking after his address, Corbyn urged Labour council leader John Cotton to settle the dispute rather than "dig himself into a hole". "There has to be a settlement and they should not be facing a wage cut," he said, adding that public support remained with the bin workers despite the difficulties caused by the strike.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
