Bin workers union in 'heavy-handed' police complaint

THE union representing striking Birmingham bin workers has raised concerns about "heavy-handed" policing after clashes with officers near a city council depot.

- NICK HORNER

Members of the Unite union were in Redfern Road in Tyseley as bin lorries lined up to leave the Birmingham City Council site yesterday morning.

The strikers walked slowly in circles at the entrance to the depot, delaying the lorries by about 15 minutes until West Midlands Police intervened to create a passageway.

Officers then moved several striking workers along as they ambled in front of the lorries in the road. Every lorry leaving the depot was delayed.

There were no arrests but police and the bin workers clashed more than once. A worker had a drink knocked from his hand, landing all over him, and in another incident a worker's phone was knocked to the floor, as witnessed by the Mail.

Unite claimed the workers were speaking to colleagues, asking them "not to cross picket lines", and flagging up vehicles with "safety violations". The union claimed one vehicle had its emergency stop button "completely detached".