Birmingham council welcomes High Court ruling over bin strike disruption
Birmingham City Council has welcomed the news an injunction stopping striking pickets from disrupting bin lorries leaving the depot will continue.
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The interim injunction granted last week at the High Court has now been ratified by the court and will continue indefinitely.
A court hearing, due for 2pm today (Thursday) has now been cancelled.
The council has also agreed with the Unite union that legal costs which the council incurred in seeking the original injunction will be dealt with by the court at a later date
The injunction was intended to ensure bin lorries can get out of the depots every morning without being held up by striking workers and end disruption for residents.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said this afternoon: "We are pleased the court has ratified the consent order agreed with Unite yesterday that the injunction, which was granted by the High Court on Friday 23 May, will continue on an indefinite basis.
"“This should ensure that vehicles are freely able to leave their depots and that workers are also able to continue to collect waste from the city.
"As we have previously stated, we acknowledge that everyone has the right to protest and that Unite has 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.
“In the meantime, our efforts to resolve the underlying industrial dispute will also continue.”
A Unite spokesperson said: “Unite has agreed to abide by the law on picketing and we will continue to conduct a lawful, peaceful picket. Whilst the injunction will remain in place, both parties are entitled to apply to the court at any time in relation to the order. Birmingham City Council is fully aware of this.
“The union is preparing evidence to be able to seek to persuade the court that the interim injunction should not have been granted last Friday evening. When the union’s evidence is complete, the union will consult our lawyers to take necessary steps to ensure that this matter is referred back to the court for a thorough review at a hearing on a later date.
