Hundreds to march on Council House in show of support for strikers

HUNDREDS of workers, their supporters and unions were today set to march through the city to the headquarters of Birmingham City Council in a last-gasp bid to force bosses to “strike a deal” to end the nine-month bins strike.

- JANE HAYNES News Reporter

The rally was being led by the Unite union’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, with other unions and community groups expected - some being bussed in to show the strength of backing for the affected bin workers.

The workers and their allies were marching from Unite’s West Midlands offices in Jennens Road to Victoria Square, ending up outside the Council House at 11am.

Samba and brass bands were expected to be accompanying the marchers, which were including community groups Birmingham Rise Up and End the Bin Strikes.

Unite claims the strike has the backing of the majority of city residents, though that is disputed by the council.

Around 2,500 households have put stickers of support on their bins to show their backing for the striking waste staff.

Members of the union recently voted to extend their industrial action until March, accusing the council of being underhand, trampling on workers’ rights and being dictated to by the Government and its appointed commissioners over what to do.