Displaying items by tag: Unite union

In Birmingham, the city council and the Unite union remain locked in a bitter deadlock as the city’s bin strike enters its twelfth month, including nine months of full walkouts. Despite the ongoing dispute, Councillor Majid Mahmood has announced the council will press ahead with major reforms to its waste service, including fortnightly collections, expanded recycling, and a new weekly food waste scheme (which all local councils have to introduce in 2026). He said that all individual employment issues had been resolved, with workers either accepting new roles, choosing voluntary redundancy, or (rarely) being made compulsorily redundant. He could not understand why Unite members remained on strike. Unite, however, has accused the council of failing to consult it properly, and insists affected workers deserve compensation for lost pay and status. While new equipment and systems are ready for rollout, neither side appears willing to compromise, leaving the city without a resolution.

Hundreds of workers from the Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Killingholme rallied outside Parliament this week, urging government action to save their jobs. The refinery, owned by Prax Group, went into liquidation in June after £75m of losses over three years, reducing the UK’s domestic fuel supply by at least 10%. Unite union leader Sharon Graham condemned the lack of a transition plan for oil and gas workers into green jobs, calling the situation 'a disgrace'. The Department for Energy Security acknowledged workers had been 'let down' but highlighted a proposed training guarantee to help staff move into the clean energy sector. Workers expressed deep concerns for their families, futures, and communities, warning that closure could devastate livelihoods. With 450 direct employees, 500 contractors, and thousands more in the supply chain affected, Unite argues the refinery is 'critical national infrastructure' whose future must be guaranteed. Officials confirmed that the Official Receiver has received bids for the site, but workers remain anxious for urgent decisive action.