This latest anti-union, anti-worker action by the Labour council is still being considered by the judge. As a successful injunction would apply to “persons unknown”, it would ban anyone from supporting the strike by delaying or blocking refuse lorries leaving its depots, or for that matter any of the council’s street management vehicles.

While the bin strike drags on into its second year, following a recent successful Unite ballot to continue for a further six months, the refuse collection service is being enabled using agency workers. Initial actions by Unite workers to stop this and delay vehicles leaving the depots were ruled illegal.

And now the very successful mega pickets, organised by Strikemap, are being legally attacked as well. Mrs Thatcher would be very pleased at the way this Labour council is using the law to put the boot into its workers.

At a recent council meeting, Green Party councillors proposed that the council re-open negotiations with Unite, but Labour councillors voted against this, no doubt with full support from the still-in-place Commissioners. The council leadership has chosen to escalate its offensive.

 If this injunction is successful, anyone who defies the instructions could face large fines or two years in gaol. And as the long struggle to stop large wage cuts continues. Strikemap have said that the cost to the council so far by using agency staff to break the strike totals £34 million.

Let us remember that the Labour Party was formed to represent the interests of the trade unions in government, even if the Birmingham Labour council has clearly forgotten.

Within three months, the Labour Party will be seeking to retain its control of Birmingham City Council, in a city where poverty and deprivation is widespread. However, its conduct during this strike has sent a clear message to the city’s working class that it is not on their side; what a way to rally Labour’s natural supporters to vote for it in May! No wonder Reform UK are rubbing their hands at the prospect of serious gains on the back of Labour’s betrayal.

Can the local Your Party and independents rise to the occasion and take on the important job of bringing the politics of class struggle to the council chamber at the May local elections?