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Striking bin workers and their union leaders in Birmingham must obey strict new rules while picketing - or risk being in contempt of the High Court. Pickets have been banned

'indefinitely' from gathering in groups of more than six at the gates of Birmingham's bin depots in a major strike breakthrough. They are also formally ordered not to block

bin lorries. READ MORE: MAJOR BIRMINGHAM BIN STRIKE UPDATE AS COURT RULES ON PICKETS BLOCKING LORRIES This morning BirminghamLive visited all three depots - located in Perry Barr, Kings

Norton and Tyseley. Striking binmen were obeying the court order, with no sign of the mass disruption and big turnouts that have caused mayhem. Pickets were nowhere to be seen at the

deserted Holford Drive and Lifford Lane sites. Only five bin workers were spotted at the gates of Atlas bin depot, in Kings Road, but unobstructed lorries were deployed on time. The new

order reinforces existing strike laws and sets out strict rules about how they can behave on the picket lines. It carries a strict warning that states 'if you disobey this order, you

may be found guilty of Contempt of Court and may be sent to prison or fined or your assets may be seized.' The ruling marks a major escalation in the council's 'get

tough' approach to the ongoing strike, after weeks of delicate discussions and police intervention. READ MORE: STRIKING BIRMINGHAM BINMEN MUST OBEY STRICT COURT ORDER OR RISK PRISON AS

'RULE OF SIX' ENFORCED These are the rules set out in the order, with Unite the union told it must talk 'all reasonable steps' to ensure its members and officials obey.

1. 'Refrain from picketing activities in connection with its current campaign of industrial action other than at the site entrances to the Atlas Depot in Tyseley, Lifford Lane Depot in

Kings Norton and Perry Barr Depot.' 2. Those on strike will picket 'solely for the purpose of peacefully persuading any person to work or abstain from working; and only at the

pickets' own place of work (or in the case of a trade union official at or near the place of work of a member of his trade union whom he is accompanying and whom he represents'.

This is in line with section 220 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992. 3. There will be 'no more than six pickets at the entrance to the (depots) that they work at...the

'designated pickets must...each wear High-Vis vests or other clothing enabling their identification as one of the designated pickets.' 4. The designated pickets 'will refrain

from seeking to prevent any vehicle from passing through the site entrance to each of the Depots, including by forming a blockade, sitting in the road or slow walking in front of the

entrances to or the road leading to each of the Depots.' 5. The designated pickets will 'limit their activities to explaining their case to those entering and leaving the Depots

and peacefully seeking to persuade or asking them not to do so in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Practice on Picketing dated March 2024.' 6. 'Refrain from carrying

out any protesting activities outside of the designated Assembly Areas' - which are set out in maps attached the order, clearly showing areas they can stand and where they cannot. 7.

The union must 'take steps' to 'ensure that its members are aware of the terms of this order and are informed that they should comply with its terms' and 'take

reasonable steps' to inform members of the designated assembly areas. The order also states that either union or council can apply to vary or discharge the order at any time, with 48

hours' notice. The interim court order was obtained from the High Court last week by the council and was ratified 'indefinitely' by the court this week, with the consent of

both parties. Unite decided not to fight the order at this stage, while reserving the right to do so in future. A copy, seen by BirminghamLive, sets out the restrictions now in place.

Birmingham City Council's Conservatives leader Cllr Robert Alden (Con, Erdington ), described the ruling as a victory for Brummies. But he said: "Labour’s failure to show

leadership and act swiftly has left our streets in chaos. This injunction should have been sought weeks ago to spare our communities this ordeal." READ MORE: BIN LORRIES BLOCKED FROM

LEAVING DEPOTS AGAIN AS WASTE PILES UP AROUND CITY In response to the court's ratification of the original interim order, Unite the union said: "Unite has agreed to abide by the

law on picketing and we will continue to conduct a lawful, peaceful picket. "Whilst the injunction will remain in place, both parties are entitled to apply to the court at any time in

relation to the order. The union is preparing evidence to be able to seek to persuade the court that the interim injunction should not have been granted last Friday evening. "When the

union’s evidence is complete, the union will consult our lawyers to take necessary steps to ensure that this matter is referred back to the court for a thorough review at a hearing on a

later date." Birmingham City Council said: “We are pleased that the court has ratified the Consent Order agreed with Unite that the injunction, which was granted by the High Court on

Friday 23 May, will continue on an indefinite basis. “This should ensure that vehicles are freely able to leave their depots and that workers are also able to continue to collect waste from

the city. "We have also agreed with Unite that the legal costs which the council incurred in securing the original injunction will be dealt with by the court at a later date."