Council leader John Cotton said an end to the 14-month dispute is now “within sight”, signalling a potential breakthrough following months of stalled negotiations.
He confirmed that a new proposal is being prepared, building on previous discussions held at Acas.
According to Unite National Lead Officer Onay Kasab, the updated offer will include compensation of around £16,000 for affected workers, something not included in earlier proposals.
Kasab said the absence of compensation for drivers had been a major sticking point, and its inclusion has helped move the dispute closer to resolution.
The full details of the revised deal have not yet been released and will remain confidential until a formal offer is issued. Any agreement will need to be put to a vote by union members.
A ‘vindication’ of the strike
Unite the Union said the council’s latest position represents a “vindication” of the bin workers’ prolonged campaign following job evaluation changes.
In a statement, the union said the revised offer is based on a previously agreed “ballpark” deal reached through Acas, but claimed it had been blocked at a late stage by government-appointed commissioners.
Unite said this intervention delayed the proposal being formally presented to members.
General secretary Sharon Graham commented: “As I have said on many occasions, the workers come first and we will always do everything in our power to ensure that our members are treated with dignity and respect.
“I salute the fortitude of my members who have needlessly been forced to endure months of attacks and hardship to get us to this point.
“I thank mayor Richard Parker and Lord Brendan Barber for the important roles both have played in getting us to this point.
“And I thank the people of Birmingham for their continued patience and support.”
Ongoing dispute over pay and role cuts
Unite’s members, who include hundreds of the city’s refuse workers, began industrial action in January 2025 over ongoing disagreements with the council regarding pay and working conditions.
The industrial action escalated into all-out strikes on 11 March 2025, with refuse collections heavily affected across the city.
Birmingham City Council has said it remains committed to transforming its refuse service and resolving the dispute.
The dispute went to court in London on 16 October 2025 over claims that the union breached an injunction related to the city’s waste services.
Agency workers also joined the industrial action in November 2025, broadening participation in the strike.
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