Union bosses holding up Birmingham bin deal fighting among themselves over £42million court case
UNION barons holding up a city’s bin deal are fighting among themselves over a £42million court case.
The month-long strike by Unite binmen has seen rubbish piled high in Birmingham.
Deputy PM Angela Rayner has slammed union leaders for failing to accept an improved council offer.
But on Thursday, Unite issued a statement that it was “outrageous those with a political axe to grind are trying to score cheap points by attacking Unite members, who are fighting these brutal wage cuts”.
Yet the same day, Unite leader Sharon Graham and her top team were fighting a High Court civil case against Unite’s 62-member Executive Council — which accuses them of “blocking a debate around finances and publication of accounts”.
A source said: “Unite is tearing itself apart.
“Two powerful factions at the top are trying to kill each other off.
“How much money is being wasted is anyone’s idea.”
The dispute revolves around a £42million “strike fund” which has dwindled to £8million thanks to more than 1,000 industrial actions fought under Graham’s tenure.
But sources close to Unite claim the Executive Council was made up of “troublesome loyalists” to her predecessor Len McCluskey.