Construction union UCATT have expressed anger at the failure of the leaders of Birmingham Council to even acknowledge the union's proposals, which would end the city's ongoing industrial dispute involving refuse collectors.

On 23rd December UCATT wrote to the council proposing a fresh way forward to end the dispute. UCATT's proposals would have seen the introduction of a 24-hour environmental waste service. The proposals would have resulted in big savings for council taxpayers, protected the earnings of workers and introduced a world-class refuse and recycling service.

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Despite the detailed nature of the peace plan the Tory-led council has not to date even acknowledged the proposals.

Steve Murphy, Regional Secretary of UCATT Midlands, said: "It is obvious that Birmingham Council do not have the vision or the intent to grasp the opportunity to end the dispute and are instead content to watch black bags and refuse pile up on the streets of Birmingham."

Due to the abject failure of Birmingham Council to seriously seek an end to the dispute UCATT and the other unions involved in the dispute have called two half day strikes to take place on the 13th and 14th January. The strike action is on top of the work to rule that began on the 19th December.

(CD/GK)