UNITE has formally lodged an employment tribunal claim against Coventry’s Labour-run council over its “shameful victimisation of a suspended shop steward.”

Supporters of Pete Randle were out in force on Tuesday as he faced an investigatory hearing which “appeared to be based on groundless and unsubstantiated charges,” the industrial union said.

It slammed councillors for taking the “outrageous decision last month to suspend Mr Randle on bogus charges” during an ongoing bin strike, which began in late January when about 70 HGV drivers walked out alleging poverty pay rates.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Why on earth is Pete Randle being dragged through this kangaroo court?

“Judging from Tuesday’s hearing, the council’s charges are groundless, and they must be dropped. 

“Councillors need to put a stop to these attacks, step up and resolve this dispute.

“Unite is standing firm and will continue to do whatever is necessary in defence of our rep and our members’ claim for fair pay.” 

Activists from the new Coventry Confidential campaign group, which is backed by Unite, have invited residents across the West Midlands city to support their expression of no confidence in councillors ahead of next month’s local elections. 

The group’s petition accuses local authority leader George Duggins of failing residents by spending public money on trying to break the bin strike after Unite said temporary agency workers are being paid more to collect rubbish than its members are asking for.

The council should be prioritising other issues, such as the city’s cracked and uneven pavements as well as potholes and fly-tipping, the petition says.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told Coventry Confidential: “For years the councillors in my area have pulled up the drawbridge to local constituents. 

“They spend their time hobnobbing with captains of industry, and other high-ups, fuelling their own egos.

“They are totally unaccountable. I am sick and tired of them.”

The group’s Sonny Hunter said: “There are a lot of people who have lost confidence in their councillors.

“With elections just a month away, councillors could lose their seats.”

Campaigners were due to light up Coventry’s famous landmarks in “eye-catching images to expose councillors’ failings” last night, after the Morning Star went to press.