City's right behind us, claim striking binmen

PROTEST STAGED OUTSIDE HOME SECRETARY'S BIRMINGHAM OFFICES

- HARRY LEACH News Reporter

Striking refuse workers outside the offices of MP Shabana Mahmood

STRIKING Birmingham binmen claim public attitudes towards them have changed - with residents now “backing” their cause.

The refuse collectors, who began their all-out strike in March, staged a demonstration outside Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s Jewellery Quarter office yesterday morning.

The Ladywood Labour MP has been in Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference but workers said their aim was to “embarrass” her and the city council into taking action to end the dispute.

The striking staff, all living off at least £70-a-day from the union Unite, said inner-city areas were still plagued by rubbish and claimed that Birmingham City Council’s agency workers were focusing on cleaning “well-off” suburbs.