ANGELA Rayner has been suspended by Labour union Unite over her role in the Birmingham bin strike crisis.
The union confirmed the move today as it announced it was reviewing its relationship with the Labour party.
AlamyRayner has been suspended by Unite[/caption]
GettyStriking refuse collectors from the UNITE trade union attend their picket line[/caption]
SWNS:South West News ServiceThe union began the strikes in January after pay cuts[/caption]
The union voted in favour of the decision at a conference in Brighton earlier today, accusing the Labour firebrand of backing a council that had “peddled lies”.
Serious discussions are now underway as Unite – one of the party’s largest financial donors – considers its future with the Government.
Ms Rayner has long called for the striking bin staff to accept the deal to end the ongoing dispute.
But Unite General secretary Sharon Graham accused the Deputy PM of failing to act and “smearing” the workers.
She said: “Unite is crystal clear it will call out bad employers regardless of the colour of their rosette.
“Angela Rayner has had every opportunity to intervene and resolve this dispute but has instead backed a rogue council that has peddled lies and smeared its workers fighting huge pay cuts.
“The disgraceful actions of the government and a so-called Labour council, is essentially fire and rehire and makes a joke of the Employment Relations Act promises.
“People up and down the country are asking whose side is the Labour government on and coming up with the answer not workers.”
It comes as the bin strike in Birmingham reaches the six month mark – with rubbish still piled high in the city’s streets.
Locals say their life has been made a misery by the foul smells in the UK’s second-largest city.
Unite began the strikes in January after pay cuts of up to £8,000 – as Ms Graham vowed to remain “relentless” to get a deal.
Ms Rayner accepted a £10,000 donation from the union last year to help bankroll her general election campaign.
Conservative frontbencher Kevin Hollinrake wrote to Labour earlier this year demanding to know if she will now hand the money back.
He said: “Rats the size of cats are roaming the streets. Rubbish is piling up at an astonishing rate.
“It’s not just a local scandal. It’s a national embarrassment — and a public health emergency.
“The city is being held hostage by Unite. The union has donated tens of millions to Labour.
“Since Keir Starmer became leader, Labour has received over £30million from the unions.
“Even more troubling, Angela Rayner, Secretary of State responsible for resolving this strike, has received £10,000 from Unite during the last general election.
“That raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest — and whether Labour ministers are putting union barons before Birmingham residents.”
Last month, Unite union said its members voted by 97% in favour of continued strike action on a 75% turnout.
Nearly 400 bin workers from Birmingham, who are facing pay cuts, voted to continue the strikes.
Bethany Campbell, 22, of Selly Oak, said: “The place stinks, it looks atrocious and residents just feel they are being forgotten about.
“Nobody should live like this in modern Britain.”
GettyAngela Rayner has long called for striking bin workers to accept the deal[/caption]
PAThe Deputy Prime Minister received £10,000 from Unite ahead of the election[/caption]
SelwynPicsRats the ‘size of cats’ have taken over the streets of Birmingham[/caption]
Refuse workers said the cuts would leave them struggling to pay their bills.
Rubbish has piled up on the city’s streets amid the industrial action with rodents and vermin now running rampant across Birmingham.
Speaking on the continued industrial action, Ms Graham added: “After smearing these workers in public since January and telling them to accept a fair and reasonable offer that never existed, the council finally put a proposal in writing last week.
“True to form, the proposal came weeks late and was not in line with the ballpark offer discussed during Acas talks in May.
“It had been watered down by the government commissioners and the leader of the council despite them never having been in the negotiations.
“It beggars belief that a Labour government and Labour council is treating these workers so disgracefully.
“It is hardly surprising that so many working people are asking whose side Labour is on.
“The decision makers at Birmingham council need to get in the room and put forward an acceptable offer.
“Unite will not allow these workers to be financially ruined – the strikes will continue for as long as it takes. Unite calls on the decision makers to let common sense prevail in upcoming negotiations.”
The council is running contingency arrangements and is still negotiating – it brought in temporary workers to cover for the striking staff.
Birmingham City Council said: “The council recognises the significant impact that industrial action has had on the people and communities of Birmingham and thanks every resident for their continued patience under difficult circumstances.
“The council is grateful for the community groups who are working to clear waste and helping their fellow residents during this challenging time.
“The council remains committed to resolving the industrial action in the best interest of all parties involved.”
Mountains of rubbish are still piled high in Birmingham
SWNS:South West News ServiceThe unprecedented bin strike has been going on for six months[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
