Unite vote to cut Labour affiliation by 40% on Bin Strike anniversary

Unite is a key financial donor to the Labour party, as one if the three largest unions with a political affiliation. The decision has come on the anniversary of the ongoing bin workers strike in Birmingham. There, workers continue to face pay cuts of up to £8,000 and have been told to accept lower terms or be made redundant. The Labour led council has escalated the situation in recent months by bringing a ‘persons unknown’ legal injunction prohibiting, for three months,  protests by people backing Unite’s inductial action from obstructing the entering or exiting of any other individual or vehicle to and from four of the city depots, without consent from the city council.

Sharon Graham said last week that

Labour’s incompetent behaviour in Birmingham has come on the back of a failed economic strategy, that has left out industrial base fighting for its life.

Oil and gas workers facing decimation, buy British defence promises broken, the public sector undervalued and the elderly and disabled under attack.

Unite had released a statement saying:

Unite has made it clear that the actions of Labour against the Birmingham bin workers will not continue to be tolerated.

As well as an escalation of the strike in Birmingham, Unite has voted to cut its Labour affiliation by £580,000. This move is unprecedented and shows the anger of Unite members.

As streets fill with rubbish in every corner, residents and workers suffer, while the council dither around a deal already scoped out at conciliation service Acas. A deal blocked by government backed commissioners on £1,200 a day.

Labour’s incompetent behaviour in Birmingham has come on the back of a failed economic strategy, that has left our industrial base fighting for its life. Oil and gas workers facing decimation, buy British defence promises broken, the public sector undervalued and the elderly and disabled under attack.

Prior to  the rules conference next year (which decides affiliation) Unite has made the decision to substantially cut its affiliation and will now formally consult with its members to see whether they want to remain in the Labour Party.