West Bromwich MP attacks 'Sandwell Labour' over ongoing bin strikes
A Sandwell MP has angrily spoken out in Parliament about bin worker strikes which are heavily impacting the borough.
For four weeks, bins have not been collected across Sandwell, leading to bin bags being stacked up in teetering piles on streets, and residents reporting maggot infestations.
The GMB union claims 125,000 households have been affected by the industrial action which has sparked heightened emotions across the borough.
MP for West Bromwich West, Shaun Bailey, claimed in Parliament on Wednesday that he had seen reports of the GMB union "blocking ambulance workers getting out of their depot".
This has been vehemently denied by the GMB regional secretary, Martin Allen, who accused the Sandwell MP of "sharing lies", calling his remarks "cheap political point scoring".
Bailey also accused the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, Simon Foster, of not policing the strikes.
The MP stood up in Parliament during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday and said: "Mr Speaker, we are heading into the fifth week of Sandwell Labour's refuse strikes.
"We've had flying pickets, we've had reports of the GMB blocking ambulance workers getting out of their depot as a result of their picket lines, and a PCC trying to encourage the police not to police it.
"Can I ask my right honourable friend to ensure that he convenes a meeting urgently on this and perhaps he'll join me in telling Labour politicians to grow a spine and put people before your paymasters."
In response, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "My honourable friend put it very well, illustrating exactly the issue. Because Mr Speaker, the Labour Party is unable to stand up to its union paymasters and back our plans to introduce minimum service and safety levels in critical industries.
"That's the type of practical action that supports working families, it's one that the Labour Party isn't strong enough to actually support."
In a damning response to Bailey's accusations, Martin Allen wrote an open letter to the Sandwell MP, which reads: "I am writing today following the outrageous and untrue comments you made in the House of Commons about GMB Union workers on strike in Sandwell refuse.
"As you well know, our members working for Serco Sandwell have been on strike to deliver the pay and conditions they deserve.
"They are on strike for a pay packet that enables them to pay the bills and raise a family in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis fuelled in Westminster by your Government.
"Many of these workers are voters and residents in your constituency; for you to so publicly attack them in this manner, without seeking out the facts first, is shameful.
"It is categorically untrue that GMB members blocked ambulances. Sharing lies and stoking tensions in your own community in the manner you have is surely beneath the office you hold.
"Instead of using the strike as an opportunity for cheap political point scoring, I would urge you instead to focus more time and energy understanding the reasons for the strikes in Sandwell.
"I am therefore inviting you to meet with GMB members working in Sandwell refuse services and the region's ambulance service, both of whom I am proud to say organise under the umbrella of our union.
"This will be your opportunity to listen to working people in your own constituency and to apologise for the untrue remarks you have made about their strike. I would appreciate a response to this invitation."
