ACAS to be brought in as strike talks fail

UNION SAYS DEAL IN TOUCHING DISTANCE - BUT BLAMES COUNCIL FLIP-FLOP

- STAFF REPORTER

TALKS between Birmingham City Council and Unite the Union to end the city's seven-week bin strike broke down again yesterday despite claims of a deal being within touching distance.

Unite said the authority had "failed again" to confirm if it intends to cut the pay of hundreds of bin drivers by up to £8,000.

It has also emerged that independent public body ACAS the (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) will next be involved in negotiations.

The development followed a 45-minute meeting on Wednesday between officials from Unite and Birmingham City Council, which ended without agreement.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said a deal "could be in touching distance" if the council stops "flip-flopping".

Hundreds of members of Unite have been on all-out strike for more than a month in a bitter dispute over pay and jobs.

In a statement, Unite said: "We urge Birmingham council to stick to what they have said in public and not continue with savage pay cuts.