Over 350 of Birmingham’s refuse workers – who are members of the Unite union – are set to increase their strike action in two weeks time as no resolution to an ongoing dispute with Birmingham City Council has been found.
Workers will continue their planned strike action for Thursday 27th February followed by walk-outs on Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th, Thursday 6th and Monday 10th March 2025 before beginning an indefinite all out strike from Tuesday 11th March.
Strikes could extend into spring and summer
The Unite union today announced that the workers are also being balloted to extend strike action through the spring and summer. The ballot is over the council’s use of temporary labour which they say undermines the current industrial action.
Strikes began back in January this year over the council’s scrapping of the waste collection and recycling officer role, which resulted in pay cuts of up to £8,000 for 150 workers. The workforce is fearful that further attacks to jobs and wages will follow, including the blocking of a fair path for future pay progression.
‘Members will not back down’
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The use of employment agencies to try and break the strike is disgraceful, especially by a Labour council. But let me be clear – our members will not back down from the brutal attacks launched on them and neither will Unite.
“Our members undertake a vital frontline role in keeping Birmingham clean, it is totally unacceptable that their pay has been slashed and they have been left fearful of further attacks on their jobs, pay and conditions. Unite is giving our members its steadfast support throughout this dispute.”
‘Unlawful labour undermining strike’
Unite says it has warned Birmingham City Council and its employment agency Job&Talent that it is unlawful to provide labour to replace striking workers. The union is calling on the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, which is part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to take action.
The new industrial action ballot closes on 10 March. The ballot would extend their industrial action mandate into the summer months.
Council: ‘Our door is open’
In response to the announcement, Birmingham City Council issued a statement saying: “This escalation of industrial action will mean greater disruption to residents – despite the fair and reasonable offer that the council made to Unite the Union. To the small number of workers whose wages are impacted ongoing by the changes to the service (of whom there are now only 40) we have already offered alternatives, including highly valuable LGV Driver Training for career progression and pay, and other roles in the council equivalent to their former roles. No worker will lose the sums Unite are claiming.
“Residents of Birmingham want and deserve a better waste collection service and the restructure that Unite is opposing is part of the much-needed transformation of the service.
“Our door is still open, and we would encourage Unite to come back to the table.
“We thank residents for their continued understanding and patience so far and will continue to provide up-to-date information about our plans during the industrial action.”
Union seeks ‘cast iron guarantees’
Unite regional officer Zoe Mayou said: “The commissioners and the council talk a good game about service reform. But from the ground all Birmingham refuse workers see is slashed wages, an increasing reliance on expensive agencies, more and more broken-down lorries and a service that is getting worse and worse. This dispute will not end until our members are given cast iron guarantees about where the service is headed and how they will be treated within it.”
Waste disposal advice for residents
While strike action continues, residents are asked to be patient, leaving household waste bins out on their normal collection day. Excess bags may be left tidily alongside a full, closed bin for collection. Those that are able are asked to visit local recycling centres to dispose of excess waste and recycling items. Visit the Birmingham City Council website for up to date information and advice.
just sack the lot , there are a lot of good workers out there who would be glad of this job, it is now a health hazard so you could supply the army or agency workers within the law