Birmingham City Council has responded decisively to ongoing and expanding bin strikes by showcasing significant improvements in waste collection despite industrial action. Unite the Union has warned that the strike action could persist past the local elections in May unless a resolution is reached, after workers voted overwhelmingly to extend their strike.
The dispute has deepened with agency workers from Job & Talent, contracted for refuse collection, joining council-employed staff on the picket lines starting December 1. This escalation marks a new phase in the conflict and is increasing pressure on the council.
In response, the council has highlighted its recent achievements in managing waste collection during the strike. Although recycling and green waste collections remain suspended, the council reports that regular waste is being collected more efficiently than before. A council spokesperson expressed disappointment that the dispute remains unresolved, noting that all offers from the council have been rejected by Unite. They emphasized that waste collection continues under contingency plans.
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“We have been collecting an average of approximately 1,330 tonnes of kerbside waste daily—more than before the strike started. Over the past six months, we have collected over 100,000 tonnes of kerbside waste,” the spokesperson stated.
The council also revealed a 22% increase in waste tonnage collected per employee and a 52% reduction in missed collections. They acknowledged ongoing separate disputes involving a small number of agency staff but assured residents that at least one collection per week will be maintained. The council remains committed to advancing long-overdue service improvements for Birmingham residents.
Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham condemned the council’s handling of the dispute, highlighting the inclusion of agency workers on picket lines as a response to poor treatment. Graham criticized the council for expenditure on a dispute she believes could be settled by agreeing to fair terms for workers.
“Unite is unwavering in defending the jobs, pay, and conditions of all its members,” she said. “Agency and directly employed bin workers have our full support.”
Since March, hundreds of Unite members have been on strike over pay and job concerns, with many agency staff reportedly refusing to cross picket lines due to unmanageable workloads. As tensions continue, the future of bin collections in Birmingham remains uncertain.