Bin collections across Birmingham face widespread disruption as industrial action intensifies. With over 350 refuse workers staging walkouts in protest against planned job losses, residents are left struggling with mounting waste and suspended recycling services.
A fresh protest is set to take place outside Birmingham City Council on Wednesday, February 12, as union members express their frustration over what they describe as “brutal attacks” on wages. Meanwhile, the council insists it is working to minimise disruption and resolve the dispute.
Escalating industrial action and its impact on residents
The strikes, organised by Unite the Union, will see refuse workers walking out for 12 days in February and 13 days in March, exacerbating the strain on waste collection services. According to Birmingham City Council, recycling collections will remain suspended during the industrial action, leaving many residents without a viable solution for their household waste.
Communal bins in apartment blocks have been hit particularly hard, with reports of overflowing rubbish and increased fly-tipping across the city. The council has advised residents to place their grey-lid household waste bins out on their scheduled collection days, but if left unemptied, to leave them in place until collection teams can attend.
Additionally, the council confirmed that it aims to provide at least one waste collection per week per household and will continue to collect neatly bundled excess waste in black bags. According to its latest update, resources will be prioritised for housing blocks and multiple-occupancy residences, while assisted collections will remain unaffected.
Union protests and council response amid financial controversy
The ongoing dispute is rooted in planned job losses and wage reductions, which the Unite Union describes as unjustified and harmful to workers. According to Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham, the decision by the council to approve a 5.7% increase in councillor allowances has only added to workers’ frustration.
Graham stated: “It is appalling that while Birmingham council inflicts huge and unjustified pay cuts on its refuse workers, councillors hand themselves a hefty pay rise. You couldn’t make it up.”
In response, Birmingham City Council expressed disappointment over the industrial action but reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the dispute. A council spokesperson stated: “We would like to assure residents we will do all we can to minimise disruption during any potential industrial action. We thank residents for their understanding and patience during this challenging period and assure everyone that we are committed to resolving the situation in the best interest of all parties involved.”
The council further confirmed that of the 170 affected employees, more than 130 have already opted for redeployment, driver training, or voluntary redundancy as alternative solutions to redundancy. Discussions between Unite and the council, with mediation from Acas, are ongoing in an attempt to reach a resolution.
