Rayner suspended by Unite over Birmingham bin strikes

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has been suspended from membership of the union Unite over the Government's handling of the Birmingham bin strikes. The dramatic move signals a deepening rift between one of Labour's most powerful union allies and the party leadership.

Unite has also voted to "re-examine its relationship with Labour", marking a significant escalation in tensions between the major union and the Labour Party. The decision came after a vote by Unite members at their conference in Brighton.

Union condemns council approach

The union condemned both the Labour-run Birmingham council and the Government for their approach to the bin workers' dispute. Unite said fire and rehire tactics had "effectively" been deployed against striking workers, who are taking industrial action over pay and job conditions.

The bin workers are currently engaged in a dispute centred on pay rates and working conditions. Their industrial action has disrupted waste collection services across Birmingham as negotiations continue.

Graham criticises Rayner's stance

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham delivered a scathing assessment of Rayner's role in the dispute. She said the union would "call out bad employers regardless of the colour of their rosette".

Graham added: "Angela Rayner has had every opportunity to intervene and resolve this dispute but has instead backed a rogue council that has peddled lies and smeared its workers fighting huge pay cuts." The criticism highlights the union's frustration with the Government's position on the industrial action.

(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.