Labour’s largest union donor, Unite, has suspended Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner over her function within the Birmingham bin strike row.
Members of the commerce union, one of many UK’s largest, additionally “overwhelmingly” voted to “re-examine its relationship” with Labour over the difficulty.
They mentioned Ms Rayner, who can also be housing, communities and native authorities secretary, Birmingham Council’s chief, John Cotton, and different Labour councillors had been suspended for “bringing the union into disrepute”.
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The union mentioned an emergency movement was put to members at its coverage convention in Brighton on Friday.
Unite is likely one of the Labour Celebration’s largest union donors, donating £414,610 within the first quarter of 2025 – the very best quantity in that interval by a union, firm or particular person.
The union condemned Birmingham’s Labour council and the federal government for “attacking the bin workers”.
Mountains of garbage have been piling up within the metropolis since January after employees first went on strike over modifications to their pay, with all-out strike motion beginning in March. An settlement has nonetheless not been made.
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Rat catcher tackling Birmingham’s bins downside
Ms Rayner and the councillors had their membership suspended for “effectively firing and rehiring the workers, who are striking over pay cuts of up to £8,000”, the union added.
Basic secretary Sharon Graham mentioned: “Unite is crystal clear, it will call out bad employers regardless of the colour of their rosette.
“Angela Rayner has had each alternative to intervene and resolve this dispute however has as an alternative backed a rogue council that has peddled lies and smeared its employees preventing big 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.
“Folks up and down the nation are asking whose facet is the Labour authorities on and arising with the reply not employees.”
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Piles of garbage constructed up round Birmingham due to the strike over pay
There was confusion over Ms Rayner’s membership of Unite after her workplace mentioned she was not a member, however parliament’s newest register of pursuits had her down as a member in Could and Unite mentioned she was registered as a member.
Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman mentioned the federal government’s “priority is and always has been the residents of Birmingham”.
He mentioned the choice by Unite employees to go on strike had “caused disruption” to the town.
“We’ve worked to clean up streets and remain in close contact with the council […] as we support its recovery,” he added.
A complete of 800 Unite delegates voted on the movement.
