Birmingham bin strikes - what to expect

Strike action has been escalated by bin workers in Birmingham, and will become an indefinite all-out strike in March.

More than 350 workers voted for the industrial action in December over what Unite the Union called an "attack on their pay and [working] conditions" by employer Birmingham City Council.

The union said the strikes were a result of the authority's decision to "downgrade" about 170 roles, which would cost affected staff an average of £8,000 a year in salary, and that the council was not "listening" or "negotiating".

Birmingham City Council said the escalation would mean greater disruption to residents, despite the "fair and reasonable offer" that the council made to staff.

Originally, 12 walkouts were planned across four months. However, Unite announced on 26 February that it would escalate into an indefinite all-out strike from 11 March.

Action was set for 6,14, 22 and 30 January, followed by 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26 and 27 February, and 3, 4, 6 and 10 March.

The union said workers would still strike on 26 and 27 February, and 3, 4, 6 and 10 March as previously planned, before the escalation on 11 March.

"The commissioners and the council talk a good game about service reform," said Unite regional officer, Zoe Mayou.

"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."

Birmingham City Council said: "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.

"Our door is still open, and we would encourage Unite to come back to the table."

The indefinite strike will affect anyone who has their waste collected by Birmingham City Council.

Unite said an overtime ban had been in place since 2 January, as well as working to rule, meaning staff adhered to official start and finish times and returned to the yard for their break and lunch periods.

The action could continue throughout the spring and summer, the union said.

More than 350 workers taking part in the strikes are being balloted until 10 March on whether it should be extended.

Unite said this was because of Birmingham City Council's use of temporary labour to "undermine the industrial action".

The authority thanked residents for their continued understanding and patience, and said it would continue to provide up-to-date information about its plans during the industrial action.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the council had unexpectedly refused to delay the implementation of plans to remove waste recycling and collection officer (WRCO) roles, which were designed to check that health and safety requirements were followed.

The union said this was a safety-critical role and that the post brought safety expertise to an "often dirty and dangerous job", citing the example of the death of a Coventry bin worker last year.

It added that due to the decision, about 170 affected workers each faced losing £8,000 a year in salary.

"No worker will lose the sums Unite are claiming," Birmingham City Council said.

"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."

It said that the number of staff that could lose the maximum amount of money was 17 people, and that the figure was £6,000, not £8,000 as the union claimed.

The council added that all its routes and working practices were risk-assessed, workers were encouraged to report any issues and health and safety was everyone's responsibility.

Finally, it said the restructure was in line with national practice, and was a crucial part of its need to become financially sustainable.

The council said up-to-date information would be available on its website and social media channels.

It encouraged residents to sign up for its bin collection newsletter.

The local authority's website said residents should continue to put their bins out as usual and that it would get to them as soon as possible.

It also suggested that refuse and recycling could be taken to one of Birmingham's household recycling centres - which require booking before attending.

The centres had also increased their opening hours, it added.

The council said it would be aware of bins not being collected, but locals could also report missed bin collections online.

Assisted collection service and clinical waste services would still be provided.

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