Strikers' new restrictions with 'rule of six' enforced

BREAKING COURT ORDER ON NUMBERS, CLOTHING & BEHAVIOUR COULD LEAD TO JAIL

- JANE HAYNES

PICKETS have been banned 'indefinitely' from gathering in groups of more than six at the gates of Birmingham's bin depots in a major strike breakthrough.

They are also formally ordered not to block bin lorries.

If they fail to obey the order from the High Court, they risk being in contempt of court, with an ultimate sanction of prison.

Yesterday morning striking bin-men were seen to be obeying the court order, with no sign of the mass disruption and big turnouts that have caused mayhem.

The new order reinforces existing strike laws and sets out strict rules about how they can behave on the picket lines.

Questions are now being asked about why it has taken so long to act, with local Conservatives furious that the 'sluggish' council has delayed action until now, after three months of all out strikes.

An interim court order was obtained from the High Court last week by the city council which set out restrictions on strike activity. It has now been extended indefinitely after Unite decided not to fight the order at this stage, while reserving the right to do so in future.

A copy, seen by the Birmingham Mail, sets out the restrictions now in place.