UK’s largest union suspends Angela Rayner’s membership as it says Labour is not on the side of workers
Major UK union suspends Angela Rayner’s membership in dramatic move
- Unite, a major union, suspended Angela Rayner's membership and that of Birmingham council leader John Cotton and other councillors over the ongoing Birmingham bin strike.
- The suspensions stem from Unite's accusation that the Labour-run Birmingham council is effectively “firing and re-hiring” workers, leading to potential pay cuts of up to £8,000 for bin workers.
- Allies of Angela Rayner stated she cannot be suspended as she resigned from Unite in April and cannot directly intervene in the local dispute.
- Talks to resolve the four-month-long strike broke down, with the council claiming it had reached its “absolute limit” for a resolution.
- The dispute highlights a growing rift between the Labour Party and affiliated unions, with Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham criticising both Angela Rayner and the Labour council's actions.