Birmingham Socialist Party members
At the end of February, the Birmingham bin strike against attacks on pay and safety stepped up. Frustrated at the council’s use of agency staff to undermine the dispute, Unite pickets exercised their right to walk and stand in front of the entrances to the depots.
Managers reacted by calling the police on the strikers, who made it clear that they wouldn’t be intimidated. In the end there was a complete shutdown of all three depots, with wagons parked up and agency staff stood down.
At the Perry Barr picket, the police reportedly turned up, wished the workers good luck, and left! However, the next day Unite members returned to find an increased police presence, which the strikers believe was paid for by the Labour-run council!
These provocations from the council were met with a defiant rally in town, where reps discussed next steps, which include plans to go to continuous action from 11 March.
Socialist Party members discussed a political campaign with strikers, linking with others fighting service cuts, such as building for a Saturday protest and inviting local trade union branches, council workers, and community campaigners.
This could be used as a launchpad to organise a coordinated fightback against the council’s citywide drastic cuts. It wasn’t lost on the Unite strikers that these cuts were coming from a Labour-controlled council under a Labour government.
One striker said: “I’m retiring within the year, but this isn’t just about me. We need to protect these jobs for future generations. Young people haven’t got decent jobs to go into anymore. All of our industries have been sold off and privatised.” Another added “It’s a few greedy ****s at the top who’ve ruined this country! We’re the ones who have the power. If we don’t work, none of the rubbish gets cleared!”
