Green Party leader Zack Polanski has criticized Birmingham City Council's sudden announcement of a deal to end the ongoing bin strike, calling the timing "cynical" just days before local elections.
Speaking to BBC Radio WM, Polanski said he wants to examine the details of any proposal before endorsing it. The deal, announced on Monday by Labour council leader John Cotton, is set to be presented to Unite union members for a vote.
"How cynical of this Labour council," Polanski said during a series of BBC local radio interviews. "They should have done this 10 months ago. Do they really expect people to believe that, just 10 days before a local election, they've finally managed to strike a deal?"
Cotton defended the agreement, calling it "good for the workforce" and insisting it offers good value for money. The strike has caused significant disruption to waste collection services in Birmingham.
Local elections are scheduled for next week, adding political pressure to the long-running dispute.