Fresh strikes in long-running Birmingham bin dispute

• Bin workers in Birmingham went back on strike today.

• They claim the City Council made secret payments to their colleagues who didn't strike last summer.

• More than 300 workers are set to walk out.

• The industrial action could continue into 2020.

Bin workers in Birmingham are going back on strike in a dispute over alleged "secret payments" to some staff in the city.

The industrial action by the union Unite concerns a row about the alleged cash handouts made to staff at the union GMB, who did not take part in 2017 strikes.

The 2017 walkouts, starting in June and lasting three months, were triggered by an announcement of job losses.

It caused widespread disruption for residents, who were left with rubbish piled in the city's streets.

• Our business correspondent Mark Gough explains what the on-going dispute is all about:

Unite has called the latest industrial action, which will see 10 days of strikes over five weeks - starting Tuesday - a "last resort".

More than 300 workers are set to walk out. Members of Unison are also due to go on strike, starting Friday.

Picket lines will be running, two days a week, at four council depots between 5am and 2pm, Unite said.

The difference between the local authority's current offer and what the union is asking for, for members, is £600, according to Unite.

Meanwhile, council chiefs have told residents a temporary fortnightly bin collection service will be operating from the start of this week, in a bid to avoid the return of 2017's unsightly rubbish piles.

Council bosses have said that it may mean rubbish and recycling being disposed of together, on occasion, "to keep the streets clean".

A special cabinet council meeting to discuss the bin dispute is due to take place this week.