Bin strikes misery could 'absolutely' hit new cities

BIN strikes may spread to leave more cities’ streets swamped by mountains of rubbish, union chiefs have warned.

- By Richard Ashmore

Rat-ridden bags have piled up for four months in Birmingham while the city council and refuse workers remain deadlocked in a pay dispute.

Senior figures in Unite, which represents crews, claim the West Midlands misery could “absolutely” spread.

Ministers have urged the union, which has previously donated millions of pounds to Labour, to reach a deal and talks are set to continue today.