Show of solidarity for striking bins workers

COLLECTIONS PAUSED AS 'MEGAPICKET' STOPS TRUCKS LEAVING DEPOT

- ALEXANDER BROCK AND JANE HAYNES

BINS strike backers from around the country descended on Birmingham yesterday morning in a co-ordinated show of strength.

The ‘megapicket’ group - numbering over 100 - were outside one of the three main Birmingham City Council depots, in Lifford Lane.

But the authority said it was well prepared for the planned protest. The gates were closed and there was no attempt to get workers and trucks in or out.

A council spokesman said: “We were aware of the planned protest and the safety of everyone involved was always our priority. We therefore revised our operational deployment plans.”

Bin collections were, however, once again disrupted.

Protestors gathered from 6am, chanting and releasing flares, to show their backing for the all-out strike by bin workers, now entering its eighth week.

Ex-Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn sent a message of solidarity as trade unionists from around the country turned out in force.

Among those at the depot was Birmingham social historian and commentator Carl Chinn.

He said: “I wanted to be here to show solidarity. As a trade unionist and proud Brummie I feel the bin workers have been treated abominably by this council.

“They are hard working men and women who go out in all weathers to keep our city clean and free from disease, and have been threatened with pay cuts that anyone would struggle to bear.