Overview

• Birmingham City Council has proposed cutting bin lorry drivers' pay from £40,000 to £32,000 as part of a job evaluation process tied to equal pay laws.
• Unite the Union called the pay cut 'completely unjustified' and an 'escalation' of the ongoing industrial dispute.
• The strike, which began in March, has left tens of thousands of tonnes of rubbish uncollected, raising public health concerns over rats and waste buildup.
• Talks mediated by ACAS are scheduled for Thursday, with Unite stating a deal could still be 'within touching distance' despite the latest setback.
• The council defends the pay cuts as necessary to comply with equal pay laws, while the union accuses it of using workers' pay to address its financial crisis.