Birmingham bin strike – eight major questions answered

Workers, who are members of Unite, began strike action in January over the scrapping of a waste recycling and collection officer role, which the union described as “safety-critical”.

Following weeks of disruption, plans for an all-out strike were announced on Wednesday, February 26, sparking further dismay among Birmingham residents and anger towards Labour-run Birmingham City Council.

More than 1,000 people have now signed a petition calling on the council to take “immediate action to resolve the ongoing failures” in rubbish collection amid concern over mounting waste.

“The city looks disgraceful,” one person wrote. “I am ashamed of Birmingham, which should be a beacon of civic pride.”

Opposition councillors have also warned the city could be plunged into further chaos.

Councillor Robert Alden (Conservative, Erdington), reacted to Wednesday’s news by saying: “Birmingham Labour’s financial mismanagement has left residents facing missed collections, rats in the streets, and a public health mess.

“[Residents] are facing Labour’s double whammy of higher council tax for fewer services.”

With fury over the bin strike escalating, here’s a look at some of the major questions residents may have – including what is happening with recycling and what is being prioritised.

When is the strike action taking place?

According to Unite, workers are taking strike action on February 27 and then March 3, 4, 6 and 10.

They will then begin indefinite strike action on March 11.

It added that workers are being balloted to extend strike action through spring and summer but the city council has said it is hoping to return to normal collections “as soon as possible”.

Why is the strike happening?

Unite says industrial action is being taken because of plans to “abolish” the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) in the waste service.

The city council previously insisted that its planned changes, included within its proposed budget for the next financial year, would improve the quality of service delivery and safety.

“Ensuring the safety of our employees and residents is taken extremely seriously,” it said.

The authority recently added: “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.”

It went on to say these include “highly valuable” LGV Driver Training for career progression and pay and other roles in the council equivalent to their former roles.

“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,” the council added.

What is happening with recycling during the strike?

The council confirmed recently that recycling collections had been suspended during this period of industrial action.

“If you can, take your recycling to a Household Recycling Centre where it will be recycled correctly,” it said.

“If you can’t, we apologise for the inconvenience but please keep hold of your recycling until the next opportunity.

“We will still take a reasonable amount of side waste, including recyclables, which are in black bin bags and neatly positioned next to your household waste wheelie bin.”

What should residents do about household and other waste?

Residents are being urged to put their household waste bins out on their normal collection day.

“If it is not collected, leave it out and we will collect it as soon as we can,” the council says.

“We aim for every resident to receive one collection of their bin per week.”

It adds that assisted collection and clinical waste collection services will be still provided.

On side waste, the council says: “This will be collected whilst strike action is taking place.

“Any excessive waste needs to be in black bin bags.

“We ask that any side waste is presented in a way that reduces the risk of pests gaining access.”

What is being prioritised during the strike?

The council has said it is aiming for every resident to receive one collection of their bin per week.

But it adds that resources will be “stretched” and focused on housing blocks and houses of multiple occupations.

Assisted collection and clinical waste collection services are also priorities.

Why is there anger over the use of temporary crews?

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has taken issue with the council’s use of ‘temporary labour’ during the strike.

“The use of employment agencies to try and break the strike is disgraceful, especially by a Labour council,” he said this week.

A spokesperson for the council responded by saying: “Birmingham City Council will always operate within the laws relating to the deployment of agency labour during industrial action.”

What has been said about council tax?

Birmingham City Council has reminded residents that paying council tax is a “legal responsibility” to pay council tax and urged people to continue doing so.

“The current situation is the result of industrial action taken by Unite the union, not due to the council’s actions,” it argued.

“Council tax is collected to fund council services generally.”

Council tax rose by just under 10 per cent last year and is set to rise by around 7.5 per cent this year.

What’s the background of the council’s financial situation?

The Labour-run council has found itself battling to balance the books amid Birmingham-specific mistakes, such as an equal pay fiasco and the disastrous implementation of an IT system, as well as the rising demand for services and previous funding cuts.

The authority’s proposed budget for 2025/26 therefore includes more cuts to services and another hike in council tax.

The savings proposals also include major changes to its waste collection service, including the move to a fortnightly collection of household rubbish and the plans for the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer role.