Could strike action by Birmingham refuse collectors spread across the UK?

Speaking to Good Morning Britain, National Lead Officer at Unite says the union will “make no apology” for defending its members

Unite has suggested bin strikes, like the ones seen in Birmingham over the past five weeks, could spread to other areas in the UK.

The union is currently campaigning against plans to cut a post from Birmingham’s refuse and recycling service, which it says will lead to hundreds of its members having their pay cut by up to £8,000 a year.

Now, Unite say they would consider wider spread walkouts in the event of similar pay disputes.

Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Onay Kasab, National Lead Officer at Unite said: “The fact is, austerity measures are continuing in local authorities because of the underfunding crisis in local authorities, if those employers move to attack our members pay and conditions then we make no apology for that fact that we will defend those members.”

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Kasab confirmed that in this case, “there is the potential for strike action spreading.”

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According to the Telegraph, tensions between unions and councils are brewing in Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire with some members in Sheffield already on strike. However, numbers remain small, so the impact is expected to be minimal.

In Peterborough, there are ongoing disagreements over pay for refuse workers. Although an offer is currently being considered by members.

But the dispute between workers and Birmingham City Council shows no signs of resolution, with workers voting on Tuesday to reject partial deal that could have ended the ongoing strike.

Members called the deal “totally inadequate” with the union claiming the offer would see workers lose money in the long run and would not cover the 200 drivers facing potential cuts.

ITV News has approached Unite for comment.

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