Bins pile high at home for elderly as strike looms

Elderly residents of a supported living complex say they have been hoarding rubbish inside their apartments due to industrial action by Birmingham bin workers.

John Harrison, who lives in Westhall Court in Yardley, claimed vulnerable tenants were living in a "death trap", due to the risk of its overflowing store room catching fire.

Unite members have staged a series of one-day walkouts since January with all-out strike action due to start on 11 March.

Birmingham City Council has previously acknowledged missed collections and thanked people for their understanding.

Mr Harrison said bins had not been picked up for three weeks, adding he was "extremely worried" about the risk of fire as rubbish piled up.

The 81-year-old added it was not clear why the bins were not being collected but a private firm was due to come and take the waste away.

"We're all keeping the rubbish in our own homes, which is not healthy or good for us," he explained.

"A lot of people here couldn't escape if there was a fire and we desperately need to be considered as an emergency."

The mound is next to an on-site restaurant used by vulnerable people who are unable to cook for themselves, Mr Harrison added.

"We've now gone into a very dangerous situation," he continued.

"We have a kitchen just across from here which will close if we have a rat problem."

Unite said it was striking over pay, conditions and the loss of a key job role.

Birmingham City Council wants to scrap waste recycling and collection officers, a role refuse workers claimed was "safety critical".

The all-out strike was announced after weeks of negotiations between the union and local authority bosses broke down.

At the time, the council said the escalation would lead to "greater disruption to residents, despite the fair and reasonable offer that the council made to the union".

Mr Harrison said he did not blame striking bin workers and instead urged council bosses to sort the matter out "sooner rather than later".

"I know its happening in other parts of Birmingham as well but they need to look at the effect on us," he said.

"People move here because they need care and attention."

Birmingham City Council did not respond when asked about Westhall Court.

The local authority previously told the BBC that it knew strike action had caused missed bin collections, adding it would try to ensure residents got a collection once a week.

"We would like to thank residents for their understanding and patience during this period of industrial action," a spokesperson said.

"We apologise for the inconvenience caused," it said.

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