AGENCY workers hired to cover the Birmingham bin worker strikes joined the picket line today after voting for industrial action over allegations of bullying and blacklisting threats.

The protests prompted Birmingham City Council to suspend all bin collections.

Your Party MP Zarah Sultana told a rally at the Smithfield depot: “I am here as a proud member of Unite the Union, I am here as the MP for Coventry South, bringing solidarity from Coventry.

“I was proud to stand on the picket line with Coventry workers when they were on strike and I am proud to be with you this morning — this is an attack on the workers that keep this city clean, that keep this city running.

“No-one will ever accept an £8,000 pay cut in a cost-of-living crisis.”

Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said that about 40 agency workers had joined the protests because of health and safety, other concerns and video evidence of a “blacklisting threat” had been supplied to the council.

“What we have got is the dispute actually escalating — more and more people joining the strike,” he said.

“The resolve of the trade union is even stronger — the fact that the agency workers have joined means that the dispute has gone on from strength to strength.”

Unite members directly employed by the council have been on an all-out strike since March over plans to downgrade job roles with up to £10,000 loss of annual pay.

Birmingham City Council has described the bullying claims as “unfounded” and says an investigation found that no “blacklisting” had occurred.

Job&Talent has been contacted for comment.