BIRMINGHAM council was accused of cowardice today after it allegedly applied to ban protests in support of the Unite bin worker strikes that are by “persons unknown” and without its consent for six months.

A third “megapicket” organised by Strike Map during the long-running strike shut down every refuse site in England’s second city last week.

Unite members began walking out in January last year over plans to cut up to £8,000 cuts from their salaries and have done so continuously since March.

The failure to settle has cost at least £33 million, according to the Labour-run council’s estimates.

Strike Map said that the proposed ban, which was applied for on Tuesday, would effectively ban protesters from delaying refuse lorries from leaving depots.

Co-founder Henry Fowler said: “This is an act of pure cowardice by Birmingham City Council, backed by their unelected commissioners. 

“The council’s continued escalation of this dispute has already cost taxpayers £34m. Seeking this sweeping injunction shows they are more interested in wasting public money and hiding behind the courts than in resolving the strike.

“This council’s contempt for its own workforce and the people of Birmingham could not be clearer. With elections coming this May, Labour councillors should start thinking about new jobs.

“We and our supporters will not end our solidarity with Birmingham’s bin workers. You cannot ban solidarity.”

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright said: “By seeking this injunction, Birmingham City Council has confirmed it is more interested in crushing this strike than resolving it, and is showing disregard for its own workforce.

“It is now clear that the council and its commissioners are incapable of negotiating a settlement. 

“That is why we are calling on the Prime Minister to step in and end this long-running dispute.”

Train drivers’ union Aslef general secretary Dave Calfe said: “Let us be absolutely clear: standing with workers in struggle is not a crime. 

“We are deeply disappointed by the actions of Labour’s Birmingham City Council, which risk damaging the Labour Party both locally and nationally. 

“This Labour government was elected to bring hope and deliver change for working people. Every day this dispute continues, that promise rings increasingly hollow.”

The council and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government were contacted for comment.