The Birmingham bin strike rejected deal that could have ended weeks of disruption, with striking workers voting overwhelmingly against a council offer that union leaders describe as “totally inadequate.”
Bin workers represented by Unite have been on an all-out strike since 11 March, as negotiations with Birmingham City Council have stalled over pay protection and job restructuring. The ongoing industrial action has left tens of thousands of tonnes of waste piled on city streets, prompting public health concerns and an influx of rats in affected areas.
Unite Union Slams Offer Over Deep Pay Cuts
On Monday, union members were balloted on what Unite described as a “partial deal on pay protection for a few.” The proposal, which the union says would still lead to significant pay cuts for hundreds of workers, was firmly rejected.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “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.” Graham called for urgent government intervention and reiterated Unite’s proposal for a debt restructuring plan for Birmingham City Council and other struggling local authorities.
“This dispute is not about a pay rise,” she added. “It is about preventing serious pay cuts.”
Government Deploys Military Planners Amid Waste Emergency
With more than 17,000 tonnes of rubbish left uncollected across the city by late March, the Labour-run council declared a major incident. On Monday, the government confirmed that military logistics experts have been deployed—not to collect waste, but to support operational planning for clean-up efforts.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “There’s no boots on the ground. We’ve deployed a couple of army logistics staff to help with the logistical operation of clearing up the rubbish. Over two-thirds of the rubbish has now been cleared.”
Currently, around 100 to 120 refuse vehicles are operating daily, focusing on 15 of the city’s worst-affected wards. The council said 1,500 tonnes of rubbish are being removed per day.
Dispute Over Job Cuts and Pay Reduction Continues
The strike centres on the council’s decision to cut a role within its waste services—a move Unite claims will leave some workers facing an £8,000 annual pay cut. The council disputes this figure, stating only 17 workers would be affected and that all had been offered alternative positions or opportunities for promotion, such as driver roles.
Council Leader John Cotton defended the offer: “We’ve made a fair and reasonable proposal that ensures no one has to lose pay. We’ve provided options for redeployment or promotion. We are determined to reach a resolution, but in the meantime, the clear-up continues.”
With the Easter holidays underway and schoolchildren at home, local residents are urging authorities to bring the industrial action to an end, as concerns mount over hygiene, public health, and long-term city sanitation.
