Brum bins chief leaves union over picket lines

BIRMINGHAM City Council's Labour bins supremo, Majid Mahmood, has resigned his membership of Unite in the midst of the waste strike blighting the city, claiming the union has failed to condemn "violence and intimidation" on the picket lines.

- JANE HAYNES

But city council leader John Cotton has refused to follow suit.

Cllr Mahmood, cabinet member for environment, which includes overseeing waste services, and Cllr Cotton had both been under fire after continuing to pay their subs to the union that is embroiled in a bitter dispute with the council they lead.

We can now reveal that Cllr Mahmood has quit his membership of Unite. He remains a member of the union Unison. But Cllr Cotton said he was not going to do the same, despite also condemning the actions of some Unite members.

To date, there have been no arrests on the picket lines, which have been heavily policed, and claims of violent threats and intimidation have been described as "smears" by the union.