A UNION has voted to cut its affiliation with Labour by more than £500,000, it has been announced.
Unite members have been on an all-out strike for exactly a year in protest at plans to reform Birmingham's refuse collection service.
In a blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the union said its affiliation will be reduced by 40%, or £580,000, adding that the actions of Labour against the Birmingham bin workers will “not continue to be tolerated”.
The move is unprecedented and shows the anger of Unite members, they said.
A statement said: “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.
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“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.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “Unite members are coming to the end of the line as far Labour is concerned.
“Workers are scratching their heads asking whose side are Labour on, who do they really represent, because it certainly isn’t workers. Workers and communities are paying the price.
“Labour needs to wake up and smell the coffee.
“The cut in affiliation fee shows the anger of Unite members. Stop taking workers for granted, spine up, do your job and be real Labour.”
Last year, Graham criticised then-deputy prime minister Angela Rayner’s behaviour during the strikes as “totally and utterly abhorrent”, warning that it could fully cut ties with the party.
Unite voted to suspend Rayner’s membership in July over the row.
Birmingham City Council has taken on agency staff to carry out general waste collections in part of the city, but recycling services have been suspended for more than a year.
The dispute started over the council’s decision to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer posts. The union said these roles were important for safety roles, while the council said they did not exist in other areas.
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