The Unite Union has told Angela Rayner the Birmingham bin strike will remain in place until next year, they warned in a statement on Tuesday.
Union members voted overwhelmingly to stay on strike until 2026 as it has been alleged that some staff could lose up to £8,000.
Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Throughout this dispute the government has denied any involvement. It is now clear that commissioners reporting to Angela Rayner blocked a ball park deal thrashed out at ACAS.
“The recent amendment by the government to the Employment Rights Bill, that allows councils in debt to fire and rehire their workers shows what is really going on here.
“Council workers are being lined up to pay the price for years of austerity.”
She fumed, “There is no point at this stage negotiating further with the council as they do not have authority to resolve the dispute.
“If Labour cannot see what is happening in Birmingham is wrong, it is little wonder workers are turning away from them in droves.”
Graham added, “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.”
Get real time update about this post category directly on your device, subscribe now.