Birmingham-style bin strikes could spread across Britain, union warns
Clare Keogh, the national officer for local government at Unite, said members were angry that Birmingham city council had failed to surrender in the dispute, which has left the area overrun with rats and triggered comparisons to the Winter of Discontent in the 1970s.
She said there was 'massive potential this will escalate' and warned strikes could break out 'up and down the country'.
It came as the Tories called on Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, to hand back £10,000 she has been given by Unite, one of the Labour Party's biggest overall donors.
Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow local government secretary, said: 'If she were on the side of British people she would think about giving back the money.
'But instead she has refused to take action to take on the bully boy tactics of Unite, as she is a paid-up member and in their pay.'
Birmingham city council was forced to declare a major incident after some 400 Unite members launched an all-out strike last month in a dispute over pay and jobs.
The industrial action has caused misery for residents, with more than 17,000 tons of household waste piling up in the streets. Some claimed neighbourhoods were being plagued by rats 'as big as small cats' as picket lines blocked bin lorry depots.
'Anger is growing'
Another strike involving Unite refuse workers, which has led to recycling sites being closed, continues in Sheffield, and Ms Keogh told the i newspaper that more ballots for strike action in other areas were being considered.
She said: 'In Birmingham, and many other councils we've seen over the last few years, our members have been prepared to walk out, saying 'this just isn't good enough and we're not going to take any more cuts'.
'That anger is growing and we're seeing that in the increasing number of strike ballots that we're taking forward. I think if the Government doesn't get a grip on it, that will definitely escalate.'
Unions have submitted pay claims for local government workers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the next financial year. Pay talks are continuing in Scotland.
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