Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/662/11427
From The Socialist newspaper, 16 March 2011
Action called off by Birmingham bin workers
The long running dispute between Birmingham city council and its refuse workers ended when agreement was reached on 9 March.
Birmingham refuse workers took four days of strike action before Christmas. This was in opposition to plans to cut salaries by as much as £4,000 a year under the single status agreement between unions and local authority employers. The council blamed sex discrimination legislation which meant it could not pay bonuses to men that were not available to women.
Industrial action was called off early this year pending further talks. In February the workers had rejected by 95% to 5% an almost identical offer to that which was accepted.
Bin workers will lose between £600 and £4,000 a year. Workers interviewed on local news felt disappointed but resigned to the situation.
It was clearly a mistake to postpone the dispute when action was effective. Action should have continued while the talks were going on. Local authority unions need to be much more decisive if pay, conditions and jobs are not to be decimated in the future
Clive Walder, Birmingham Socialist Party
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In The Socialist 16 March 2011:
Anti-cuts campaign
Defend jobs and services: Protest 26 March
Building the battle against the cuts - now and beyond 26 March
Campaigning against all cuts and privatisation
Socialist Party news and analysis
Hutton's plans mean savage cuts - Fight to defend your pension!
Vote for a socialist alternative
Huge protests against job insecurity
The rich get richer - by another $1 trillion
Youth fight for jobs
March from Jarrow with Youth Fight for Jobs
For real jobs not exploitation
Socialist Party workplace news
Northern Ireland: Broad left gains in union elections
Privatisation threat to the blood service?
Defend jobs and education at Newcastle College
Action called off by Birmingham bin workers
Left victory in building workers' union
International socialist news and analysis
Japan: Tsunami results in misery for millions
Workers hit hard by earthquake and tsunami
Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories: "We'll struggle like in Egypt"
Tunisia: 'You come back - we come back'
Saudi troops to suppress Bahrain protesters
Socialist Party campaigns
Thousands protest against Lib Dems in Sheffield
Protester challenges Lib Dem MP to debate
Lively discussion at LGBT meeting
Leeds: Celebrating International Women's Day
Celebrate International Workers' Day in the Socialist with a May Day greeting
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