Birmingham will face more refuse collection disruption as Unite workers are set to commence an all out strike tomorrow (Tuesday 11th March), one day after work on revamping the Kings Norton Veolia recycling centre began today (Monday 10th March).
The redevelopment of the Lifford Lane site will take approximately 3 years. The site is still usable but booking spaces are reduced. Residents can use any of the other recycling sites in the city, which also have to be booked. Find out more.
The Unite union confirmed yesterday that nearly 400 workers will begin an indefinite strike tomorrow over the scrapping of the waste collection and recycling officer role (WRCO), which the union claim has impacted 150 workers with pay cuts of up to £8,000.
Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: “The council could end this dispute tomorrow by agreeing to pay a decent rate of pay. The council is forcing dedicated workers onto pay levels barely above the minimum wage while undertaking a difficult and highly demanding job in all weathers. The council easily afford this if it stopped wasting millions on expensive employment agency fees.
“Disruption to Birmingham’s refuse service will further deteriorate but this is the fault of a heartless council which has slashed pay without a thought to the affect it is having on workers and their families.”
Refuse collection advice
Birmingham City Council advised residents to leave their household waste bins out for collection. Bagged side waste and flattened cardboard / newspapers can be left neatly alongside your bin. Bins will be emptied when possible and collections could be on any day of the week, including weekends.
Recycling will still NOT be collected at present and garden waste collections, which should have commenced this month will NOT go ahead – the council will contact subscribers to this service directly.
Residents can visit any of the city’s five recycling centres to dispose of excess waste and recycling. Find details and book a slot
What idiot thought starting redevelopment work at Lifford Lane tip while the bin strike was still going was a good idea? Just tried to make a booking but none available. Other sites are miles away. We need our local MPs to get involved with this.