Strikers are not villains, claims union

'COUNCIL HOLDING CITY TO RANSOM'

- BEN PERRIN

UNDER-FIRE Birmingham City Council has been accused of 'vilifying' striking bin workers ahead of a potential 'new pay offer' next week.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham (pictured) said the incompetence of the council and the intervention of the Government was "holding the city to ransom."

Council bosses said they were committed to making a revised offer and said it was untrue to imply progress was being blocked by Government-appointed commissioners.

Ms Graham, pictured, said Unite expected to receive details of a new offer on Tuesday.

But she warned that if the new deal was "watered down by commissioners", balloted members would not accept the terms.