Bin strike not harming investment in city - mayor
The ongoing bin strike in Birmingham has not harmed future investment in the city, the regional mayor has claimed.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said investors still believed in the city's potential, in spite of the dispute, because of the "competitive advantages" it had.
The all-out strike has been going for more than nine months after Birmingham City Council bin workers, backed by union Unite, walked out in a dispute over pay and jobs.
Parker told BBC Radio WM he was in regular contact with both parties and keen to see the situation resolved.
The Labour mayor said: "It needs to be addressed. I've been really, really clear about that and I've said that many times.
"I've urged the council and Unite to get around the table to resolve this issue."
On whether the strike had damaged Birmingham's reputation, he said it did not appear to be an issue for financiers he met at trade missions or summits.
"None of those investors we speak to about investing here have mentioned the bin strikes," he added.
"They are coming to invest in the long term because of the potential of this place and the key competitive advantages that we have.
"The bin strikes, for them, are not an issue that are going to drive a long-term investment decision."
'Done all I can'
Parker denied being embarrassed about the ongoing strike but said he was "deeply concerned" about its impact on residents.
"I've done all I can," he said. "I don't employ the workforce, I don't run the negotiations, I can't detail those contracts and I can't sign an agreement.
"All I can do is spell out to both parties the importance of getting around the table to resolve it."
Walkouts began in January following a dispute about the council's plan to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer roles.
The union initially claimed about 170 workers would lose up to £8,000 a year, but the council disputed the figures.
An indefinite all-out strike began in March.
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