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Bin strikes kick off in Birmingham

Unite the Union refuse workers in Birmingham have today (6 January 2025) begun several months of industrial action over pay and role disputes. 

The union claimed the strike is due to the council’s decision to “abolish” the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role.  

It warned that 150 workers face losing £8,000 a year and additional cuts to their pension payments.  

12 days of strikes are planned for over four months involving over 350 workers. The affected dates are:  

  • January: 6, 14, 22 and 30.  
  • February: 7, 10, 18 and 26.  
  • March: 6, 14 and 25. 
  • April: 2.  

Birmingham city council told the BBC that it was disappointed the action was taking place and it would do all it could to minimise disruption for residents. 

In a statement on its website, it advised residents to put their bins out as per usual on their normal collection day, and if they’re not collected on the day, to leave them out and it will collect them “as soon as possible”. 

The council added that it took the safety of employees and residents extremely seriously and that it was also supporting the workers affected by the change. 

It continued in a statement: “There are several options that are available to suit different personal circumstances, and, of the 170 affected employees, over 130 have already opted for redeployment, driver training, or voluntary redundancy.” 

The union said that it “is totally focused on protecting the pay and safety of its members and will leave no stone unturned in resolving this dispute”.  

Unite additionally claimed that an overtime ban has been in place since 2 January 2025 – which it said will cause “considerable disruption”.  

Unite regional officer Zoe Mayou said: “Unite has bent over backwards to resolve this dispute but the council has negotiated in bad faith and is simply refusing to treat its workers with fairness and decency. 

“The strikes, overtime ban and work to rule will cause huge disruption to refuse services throughout Birmingham but this dispute is entirely of the council’s own making. The solution to this dispute is in the council’s hands.” 

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