West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has welcomed a potential deal to bring an end to the Birmingham bin strike and end a "difficult period for the city." Birmingham City Council announced a deal has been agreed with Unite the union to bring an end to the dispute which has been ongoing for more than 12 months.
Mr Parker said it is vital the agreement is honoured in full once the local elections are out of the way at the end of next week. Unite said negotiations have been ongoing for the last few months to get the original deal agreed at the conciliation service ACAS back on track.
Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham, John Cotton leader of the council, and Richard Parker mayor of West Midlands, facilitated by Lord Brendan Barber, were involved in discussions. Unite said the roles played by Mayor Parker and Lord Barber should be recognised as they very quickly saw that the deal was both reasonable and doable.
The union said the broad outline of the ballpark deal is:
- The deal mirroring the ACAS ballpark agreement means that workers would get not six months cushion from the impacts of the job evaluation process but a minimum of two years.
- Striking agency workers with 12 months plus of employment on the contract will be offered a path to permanent employment.
- Disciplinary issues will be quashed and the gross misconduct issue reviewed.
- For pension purposes the dispute will be treated as authorised absence.
- Legal action on both sides will be ended.
Mr Parker said: "I welcome the agreement reached by John Cotton and Labour with Unite to bring an end to the bin strikes. This has been a difficult period for the city. Residents have felt the impact and workers have been looking for fairness and certainty. Throughout, John and his team have stayed focused on getting round the table and finding a fair settlement for the council workers. This is a good deal that will deliver a better refuse and recycling service and a settlement that respects the need to deliver value for money for residents."
He added: "What matters now is delivery. After polling day, this agreement must be honoured in full, with a clear timetable and a formal resolution that gives confidence to workers and residents alike. As Mayor, I will continue to do everything I can to support that process and to help ensure this deal delivers for Birmingham and the wider region. It's clear that only Labour has an agreed plan to end this strike."
