The Independent highlights the critical need for robust, on-the-ground journalism amid turbulent times in the U.S. It showcases their commitment to delivering unfettered news without paywalls, ensuring access for all readers. Alongside this, a significant strike by bin collectors in Birmingham underscores labor disputes regarding inadequate pay raises and the impact on public health, with local officials and residents grappling with increasing amounts of uncollected waste. The trade union Unite challenges misleading narratives from the government regarding the strike's scale and its implications for workers.
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: For weeks, these workers have faced attacks from government and their employer pushing the lie that only a handful of workers are affected by the council's plans to cut pay by up to 8,000.
The strike began on 11 March and has seen thousands of tonnes of rubbish go uncollected with local residents complaining of cat-sized rats amid warmings of a public health emergency.
Unite said the deal would have included substantial pay cuts for workers and did not address potential pay cuts for 200 drivers.
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