City council waste chief quits over bins dispute
The cabinet member for clean streets, waste and recycling at Birmingham City Council has resigned over a decision to take legal action against the bins unions.
Cllr Majid Mahmood quit from the role after the council’s cabinet announced this morning that it was taking legal action against the unions Unite and Unison for what it says is an unlawful industrial dispute.
Around 300 Unite the Union workers have been working to rule since December 29, over a payment given to GMB members, who did not strike in 2017.
The authority said it would ask for a court injunction if union talks fail.
But Unite said it would escalate to full strike action if the council did not reverse the threat.
In a tweet, Mahmood said: “I will not be a party to using Tory legislation to attack our trade union comrades. This goes against the very fabric of my socialist principles. I was elected by citizens on a Labour platform of equality, justice and fairness #solidarity.”
Leader of the council Cllr Ian Ward said: “The people of Birmingham want us to resolve the waste collection dispute as quickly as possible and cabinet members agreed a way forward on Monday 14 January, but unfortunately Cllr Mahmood changed his mind and was subsequently unwilling to support that way forward.
“I thank Cllr Mahmood for his efforts over the last four years, but being in the cabinet requires collective responsibility, respect for the respective roles of officers and members, and the courage to take tough decisions in the interests of those we serve.”
Ward said that the council’s focus now is to test its legal advice and seek a resolution to the dispute through binding arbitration at ACAS.
He added: “Our focus as a cabinet is to resolve this dispute and to deliver clean streets, homes, jobs and opportunities for the people of Birmingham. Despite huge cuts we are achieving tremendous things for the people of this city, with the newly announced £1.5bn Smithfield development bringing jobs and homes, and the Commonwealth Games transforming our world standing in 2022.”
