Unite has voted to cut the affiliation fee it pays to Labour by 40% in response to the ongoing bin workers’ strike in Birmingham.
The move was announced on the first anniversary of the industrial action and reduces Labour’s financial support by around £580,000.
The union said the decision reflects anger among members over Labour’s handling of the dispute with the Labour-run Birmingham City Council.
The strike, which began in March 2025, centres on plans to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer roles and potential pay reductions for some workers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Unite members are coming to the end of the line as far Labour is concerned.
‘Workers are scratching their heads asking whose side are Labour on, who do they really represent, because it certainly isn’t workers.’
The union will now consult members on whether to maintain its formal affiliation with Labour ahead of a rules conference expected next year.
Birmingham City Council last month said the trade union has rejected ‘fair and reasonable offers’ to resolve the dispute.
A Labour’s spokesperson told the BBC the party was delivering ‘the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation to address low pay, insecure work and poor working conditions, which will benefit 15 million workers’.
