Union to challenge bin strike picket court order
Unite the Union has said it is preparing to challenge a court order which prevents its members from delaying bin lorries leaving depots in Birmingham.
An interim injunction was granted by the High Court on 23 May, after collections were said to have been disrupted by striking workers.
The union added it had agreed to abide by the law on picketing and would continue to conduct a lawful, peaceful protest.
Birmingham City Council said it had applied for the order to continue on an indefinite basis so workers were "freely able to leave their depots", and its efforts to resolve the dispute continued.
Police recently scaled down their presence on picket lines, where they had been helping to ensure bin trucks could leave to prevent waste piling up on city streets.
The council said on Friday it had sought the injunction after seeing "an increase in disruption" at depots, with "workers and vehicles being prevented from doing their job".
The West Midlands force withdrew after stating the issues did "not meet the threshold" to impose powers under Section 14 of the Public Order Act.
However, Unite said it believed the injunction should not have been granted.
"Unite was given no proper notice of the hearing and had no opportunity to present our side of the case," it said in a statement.
The authority said it acknowledged that everyone had the right to protest and the union had the right to organise picketing in line with their statutory rights.
"The terms of the order which Unite has now agreed is designed to ensure that this is all done within the confines of the law," it added.
Workers who are members of the union have been involved in all-out industrial action since 11 March in a pay row that now also includes a dispute over bin lorry drivers' wages.
On Thursday morning, bin workers on the picket line at the city's depot in Tyseley allowed trucks manned by agency staff to leave.
However, there was a queue of lorries waiting to leave at about 06:45 BST, as those on strike spent several minutes talking to each crew, explaining why they were on strike.
About 40 bin workers were on the picket line, with most gathered on the opposite side of the road.
The BBC's Bob Hockenhull said there was one police car on site, and described the atmosphere as "good humoured".
"There is no threats, no intimidation, we are happy to talk to the agency staff in the wagons," said Steve, who was on the picket line in Tyseley.
"But if they don't want, they're free to drive straight out.
"It's their choice to stop and talk or drive straight through."
Another striking bin worker, Wayne Bishop, added: "It's starting to hit my bank balance and I'm glad I've got strong family and friends to help me if need be."
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Council gets court order over bin lorry blocking
Union blames council for lack of bin strike deal
Why are Birmingham bin workers on strike?
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