A LABOUR council was accused yesterday of ignoring party leader Ed Miliband’s support for working people by planning to cut refuse workers’ pay by up to £2,000 annually.

General union GMB is in dispute with Barking and Dagenham Council in east London over plans to reduce the wages of staff who carry out vehicle safety checks.

The workers have already staged five days of strike action in March and April.

“After years of cuts in ­people’s living standards the Labour council now wants people to accept cuts of up to £2,000 in their contractual pay,” said GMB senior organiser Keith Williams.

“The council seems out of control and their approach is completely at odds with

Ed Miliband’s support for working people and their families.”

Last-ditch talks take place today between council officials and GMB through conciliation service Acas.