Striking binmen ordered to obey strict court order as 'rule of six' enforced

Pickets have been banned 'indefinitely' from gathering in groups of more than six at the gates of Birmingham's bin depots in a major strike breakthrough. They are also

formally ordered not to block bin lorries. If they fail to obey the order from the High Court, they risk being in contempt of court, with an ultimate sanction of prison. READ MORE: MAJOR

BIRMINGHAM BIN STRIKE UPDATE AS COURT RULES ON PICKETS BLOCKING LORRIES This morning striking binmen were seen to be obeying the court order, with no sign of the mass disruption and big

turnouts that have caused mayhem. The new order reinforces existing strike laws and sets out strict rules about how they can behave on the picket lines. Questions are now being asked about

why it has taken so long to act, with local Conservatives furious that the 'sluggish' council has delayed action until now, after three months of all out strikes. They welcomed the

ruling. An interim court order was obtained from the High Court last week by the council which set out restrictions on strike activity. It has now been extended indefinitely after Unite

decided not to fight the order at this stage, while reserving the right to do so in future. A copy, seen by BirminghamLive, sets out the restrictions now in place. The order, served on Unite

the union, includes a stark warning that failure to obey means 'you may be found guilty of contempt of court and may be sent to prison or fined or your assets may be seized.'

Under the ruling, the union has to 'take all reasonable steps to ensure its members...refrain from picketing activities in connection with its current campaign of industrial action

other than at the site entrances to the Atlas depot, Lifford Lane depot and Perry Barr depot'. It also states that pickets can only 'peacefully persuade' fellow workers and

must only picket at their own workplace, with the exception of union officials representing striking workers. It also confirms that no more than six pickets can be located at each depot, all

in hi-vis vests or other clothing identifying them as designated pickets. They are also ordered to refrain from 'seeking to prevent any vehicle from passing through the site entrance

to each of the Depots, including by forming a blockade, sitting in the road or slow walking in front of the entrances to or the road leading to each of the Depots'. They say the ruling

limits them to seeking to 'explain their case to those entering and leaving the depots' in accordance with the Code of Practice on Picketing. They are also ordered not to carry out

protesting activities 'outside of the designated assembly areas' which are set out on maps showing specific zones around each depot. Birmingham City Council's Conservatives

leader Cllr Robert Alden (Con, Erdington), described the ruling as a victory for Brummies. But he said: "Labour’s failure to show leadership and act swiftly has left our streets in

chaos. This injunction should have been sought weeks ago to spare our communities this ordeal." READ MORE: BIN LORRIES BLOCKED FROM LEAVING DEPOTS AGAIN AS WASTE PILES UP AROUND CITY

Deputy leader of the group, Cllr Ewan Mackey (Con, Sutton Roughley), added: "Residents have been let down by Labour’s dithering while bin lorries were blocked, and waste mounted up.

This injunction is a step forward, but it’s only a sticking plaster. The Labour Council must now prioritise resolving this industrial dispute to prevent further disruption." In response

to the court's ratification of the original interim order, Unite the union said: "Unite has agreed to abide by the law on picketing and we will continue to conduct a lawful,

peaceful picket. "Whilst the injunction will remain in place, both parties are entitled to apply to the court at any time in relation to the order. The union is preparing evidence to be

able to seek to persuade the court that the interim injunction should not have been granted last Friday evening. "When the union’s evidence is complete, the union will consult our

lawyers to take necessary steps to ensure that this matter is referred back to the court for a thorough review at a hearing on a later date." Birmingham City Council said: “We are

pleased that the court has ratified the Consent Order agreed with Unite that the injunction, which was granted by the High Court on Friday 23 May, will continue on an indefinite basis. “This

should ensure that vehicles are freely able to leave their depots and that workers are also able to continue to collect waste from the city. "We have also agreed with Unite that the

legal costs which the council incurred in securing the original injunction will be dealt with by the court at a later date."