UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Unite’s Sharon Graham called Angela Rayner’s role in the Birmingham bin strike “abhorrent” and warned the union may cut ties with Labour.
As reported by The Independent, Unite leader Sharon Graham described Deputy PM Angela Rayner’s actions during the Birmingham bin strike as “totally and utterly abhorrent,” amid deepening tensions with Labour.
What did Sharon Graham say about Angela Rayner and Labour?
Sharon Graham condemned Angela Rayner after Unite voted to suspend her over Labour’s handling of striking bin workers in Birmingham.
She warned Unite could end its long-standing relationship with Labour after members voted to review the union’s ties with the party.
Ms Graham said,
“Angela Rayner refuses to get involved, and she is directly aiding and abetting the fire and rehire of these bin workers; it is totally and utterly abhorrent.”
She said Ms Rayner had been a member for more than 10 years. However, her allies claim she left the union in April.
Ms Graham described Angela Rayner’s actions as a “Houdini act” in recent months, suggesting she attempted to quietly exit the union.
She stated,
“She was very clearly a member when she asked us to give her £10,000 for the election. And on our system, obviously we go by quarters, so up to the March quarter.”
She added,
“Now, if she has over the last couple of weeks, because she’s seen the mood music, because this isn’t the first time that we’ve discussed that we’re not happy with what’s going on, then she may well have done that.”
Ms Graham suggested the union might need to reconsider its relationship with Labour, warning that members must feel the affiliation fee is “worth something,” adding,
“At this present moment in time, it is hard to justify it, if I’m being honest. Would that money be better spent on frontline services for my members? But the decision will be a serious decision. It’s not a rash decision.”
She said any such decision would go to a rules conference of the union, but added she was under pressure to call an emergency meeting, “which would mean we would disaffiliate.”
The Unite boss stated,
“If it was me and I had a major backer like Unite, that has everyday people in it – remember, this was a vote of members at the parliament of our union – that were saying that we don’t believe that Labour defends workers in the way that we thought they would, we believe that they’re making the wrong decisions, I would be concerned about that.”What did Labour say about Angela Rayner’s split from Unite?
A Labour source said,
“Angela’s not interested in silly stunts, she’s interested in changing workers’ lives. Unite rejected a deal in Birmingham, and their demands would have undermined equal pay, discriminating against female workers. Angela won’t be pushed around, and she quit Unite some months ago.”
What did Angela Rayner’s allies say about Unite’s move?
Ms Rayner’s allies hit back, arguing Ms Graham failed to dispute that the union voted to suspend someone who was no longer a member.
They said Unite wrongly blamed a minister who was helping workers and protecting benefits.
The tension came after unions like the TUC pushed the government to bring in a wealth tax instead of making more cuts.
Why did the Birmingham council strike talks collapse?
A council’s move to remove recycling officer roles has sparked strike action, with union leaders warning 170 workers now risk losing thousands from their pay.
Efforts to resolve the dispute collapsed on Wednesday after Birmingham City Council said it had reached the “absolute limit” of what it could offer.
Key facts about Unite
- In 2024, UK union members dropped to 6.4 million, the lowest since 1995.
- 134,000 more women joined unions, but 172,000 men left.
- Public sector unions grew by 20,000; private sector fell by 57,000.
- 64% of union members have a degree; 43% have worked 10+ years.