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A deal to resolve the Birmingham bin strike could be “in touching distance”, the Unite union has announced.
The action by members of Unite, which began on 11 March as part of a dispute over pay, has seen thousands of tonnes of rubbish go uncollected and warnings of a public health emergency in the city.
Talks to end the strike are to involve the conciliation service Acas for the first time, signalling that an agreement could be close.
Unite secretary general Sharon Graham said that while a deal is close, “Birmingham City Council is again guilty of saying one thing in public and another in the negotiations”.
Read more: All you need to know about the bin strike dispute
“This flip flopping needs to be sorted prior to the Acas negotiations next week, so the dispute can be resolved and end the uncertainty for workers and the misery for Birmingham residents,” she added.
“The threats of savage pay cuts must also now cease for drivers. Unite has put forward workable proposals. The ball is now in the council’s court.”
More than 350 Unite union workers staged walkouts in January, before deciding to escalate into indefinite strike action in March, citing fear over further attacks on their jobs, pay and conditions.
As a result, rubbish was left piled on pavements and residents complained of a risk to public health, as rotting food attracted foxes, cockroaches and rats.
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