Work to clear the backlog of rubbish from the streets of Birmingham is continuing as striking bin workers vote to reject the council’s offer.
The clean up
Since Friday 4th April 2025, council clean-up crews across the city have collected 11,588 tonnes of waste, including the waste taken to HWRCs – the equivalent to 1,000 killer whales.
Crews have been clearing approximately 1,500 tonnes of waste a day since vehicles have been able to deploy on time, with around 100-120 refuse collection vehicles out every day. Between 40 and 60 housing and street cleansing vehicles have been repurposed and multiple ‘grab trucks’ have been used to clear large rubbish piles each day, prioritising 15 of the most affected hotspot wards.
Support for the clean up comes with extra vehicles through mutual aid and with military support working alongside the managing director to support with planning and logistics.
Leader of the Council Cllr John Cotton said: “Our work to clear the backlog is gathering pace and we will continue collecting waste over the weekend.
“I fully appreciate that there is still more to do, and I share the frustration of people across the city, but now that we are getting our crews out on time every day, we are starting to see a difference and I want to thank our amazing crews for their hard work over the last week.
“I also want to thank every citizen, community group and organisation that is helping with the clear-up. People are helping in neighbourhoods right across the city and their support is helping to clear our streets.”
For those that can access them, the city’sHousehold Recycling Centres will continue their extended opening hours every day over the Easter holiday. Slots can be booked online and details of opening hours for each centre can be found here.
Workers reject ‘totally inadequate’ deal
However, there’s still no end in sight to the industrial action with striking Birmingham bin workers today voting to reject the council’s ‘totally inadequate’ offer. Hundreds of workers, members of Unite, voted overwhelmingly to reject the ‘totally inadequate’ deal. Union leaders say the offer still includes substantial pay cuts for some workers and does not address potential pay cuts for 200 drivers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “For weeks, these workers have faced attacks from government and their employer pushing the lie that only a handful of workers are affected by the council’s plans to cut pay by up to £8,000.
“Instead of peddling untruths about these low paid workers and focusing on winning a media war, the government should have taken the time to check facts and used its office to bring the council to the table in a meaningful way.
“The rejection of the offer is no surprise as these workers simply cannot afford to take pay cuts of this magnitude to pay the price for bad decision after bad decision.”
Cllr Cotton said: “I will stress again that we have made a fair and reasonable offer that means that no-one has to lose any pay at all, with alternative roles offered within the service, or indeed a promotion to work as a driver. We’re determined to reach an agreement but in the meantime, the clear-up continues.”
Sharon Graham continued: “From the start, the council has constantly moved the goalposts for these workers, prolonging the strikes in the process. First it was equal pay, then it was about improving the waste service, then cost cutting. The list goes on.
“Unite has set out simple and reasonable steps to the council to resolve these issues. It is important to remember that this dispute is not about a pay rise it is about preventing serious pay cuts.
“The government must now call a meeting with the stakeholders to ensure these steps are taken to bring the strike to an end.
“The government must now also urgently consider Unite’s proposal for debt restructure at Birmingham City Council and other local authorities. Workers and communities cannot continue to pay the price.”
Talks to resolve the dispute will continue this week.
