cross-posted from: https://ibbit.at/post/199034

One of the UK’s largest unions, Unite the Union, has voted to slash the affiliation fee it pays to Labour by £580,000, or 40% of its contribution to the party.

The decision follows widespread anger among members at the government’s handling of the Birmingham bin strike.

“Unite has made it clear that the actions of Labour against the Birmingham bin workers will not continue to be tolerated,” the union said in a statement.

“Labour’s incompetent behaviour in Birmingham has come on the back of a failed economic strategy that has left our industrial base fighting for its life,” it added.

The union will now formally consult with members about whether they want to remain in the Labour party, it added.

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.”

She added: “Workers and communities are paying the price. Labour needs to wake up and smell the coffee. The cut in affiliation fee shows the anger of Unite members. Stop taking workers for granted, spine up, do your job and be real Labour.”

Recent analysis of political donations found that the Labour party now takes more money from corporations than from unions for the first time in its history.

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