STRIKING refuse workers and their supporters staged a massive mega picket that shut down a Birmingham bin depot in a bold show of unity today.

Hundreds travelled from across the country to stand shoulder to shoulder with the workers, who have been on indefinite strike since March 11.

In the early morning, protesters declared victory after shutting down one of Birmingham’s key depots at Lifford Lane.

Pulled together in under a week, the picket drew rapid support from 20 trade unions and community groups.

Henry Fowler, co-founder of Strike Map, which co-ordinated the action, said: “This mobilisation is historic. 

“The support for the Birmingham Bin Strike is rock solid on and off the picket line, victory to the workers!”

Pete Randle, organiser at Unite, the union representing the strikers, said: “Today’s message is a collective organisation across trade union movement and shows the power unions have.”

Speaking at the picket, NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said the strike was of “national importance.”

He said: “If a Labour council can get away with cutting the wages of these workers, then a Labour government can get away with attacks on the rest of us.

“This solidarity […] is showing what we can do when we unite across our sectors and across our industries.”

FBU general secretary Steve Wright was also among the trade unionists who turned out in support.

“Bin workers, like firefighters, are front-line public servants who keep Birmingham clean and make the city work,” he said.

“They are being asked to pay the price for austerity — but austerity is a political choice and with enough unity and action, we can defeat it.”

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “It was great to see the Unite bin workers supported by trade unionists from all around the country showing their solidarity and support. 

“Excellent work by Strike Map, every contribution calling for natural justice, no cuts. The years of Tory austerity should not be rectified off the backs of ordinary working people, many of whom are already struggling.”

Industrial action by refuse workers has now entered its fifth month.

The dispute initially began over the council’s decision to axe the role of Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO), which Unite said would slash pay for 150 of its members.

After months of talks, the union said that it believed a deal to end the strikes could be “within touching distance” if the council did not cut the pay of drivers — a role that coincidentally, WRCOs had been told they could be offered retraining for.

But last week, drivers were informed their jobs could be regraded as part of an equal pay-related review and evaluation exercise. 

Unite said the plans would cut their pay by around a fifth — amounting to a loss of up to £8,000 a year. 

Following the mass picket, a Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “Due to a protest outside Lifford Lane (Kings Norton) depot there have been disruptions to today’s collections. 

“We were aware of the planned protest, the safety of everyone involved was always our priority and we therefore revised operational deployment plans to reflect this overarching principle.”