UNITE called on the local government ombudsman today to investigate whether commissioners appointed by Birmingham City Council have a financial interest in keeping the bin strike going.

About 400 workers, former waste recycling collection officers and bin lorry drivers, are involved in the strikes over pay cuts of up to £8,000 a year.

Since the six commissioners arrived at the local authority, they have raked in around £2 million in fees and expenses, paid from local council tax revenue, Unite said.

The commissioners receive £1,100 a day, except for lead commissioner Max Caller, who earns £1,200, according to the union.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The commissioners have stood in the way of a deal that could and should have been reached months ago.

“Despite never attending negotiations, they have obstructed every effort to bring these strikes to an end, wasting millions upon millions of public funds in the process.

“The local government ombudsman must look into whether there is a potential financial conflict of interest for the commissioners to be preventing this dispute being brought to a close.”

The local government and social care ombudsman was contacted for comment.