The city of Birmingham is bracing for significant disruption as refuse workers begin the first of 12 planned strikes today, January 6, 2025. Represented by the Unite union, more than 350 workers voted for this industrial action after negotiations over pay and working conditions with Birmingham City Council fell through. The union claims the local authority has failed to reverse or delay decisions affecting workers' remuneration and abolishing safety-critical roles.
Scheduled dates for the strikes span several months and include action on January 6, 14, 22, and 30, followed by additional dates throughout February and March, concluding on April 2. Unite has also implemented measures such as an overtime ban and strict adherence to official work hours, which are expected to compound the disruption to refuse services across the city.
At the heart of this industrial action is the council's decision to eliminate the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role, which the union describes as safety-critical. This position is responsible for monitoring health and safety compliance within waste collection—a role deemed invaluable by the union, especially following the tragic death of a bin worker last year. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham emphasized the importance of worker safety, stating, “Unite is not prepared to see its workers face a huge pay cut, nor will it allow the council to recklessly cut safety-critical roles.”
The removal of the WRCO positions jeopardizes safety standards, according to Unite representatives. They have warned residents to expect huge disruption as collections will be significantly impaired on strike days and during the operational changes. Many workers, having devoted decades of service to the council, are staunchly opposing what they perceive as unfair treatment and diminishing pay.
Concerningly, even prior to the strikes, disruption was already evident. Following the introduction of the overtime ban on January 2, 2025, the council reported operational difficulties, preventing it from collecting cardboard and paper recycling from certain areas of the city. This raises questions about the council’s capacity to manage solid waste effectively even without industrial action.
The Birmingham City Council has expressed disappointment about the strikes and committed to resolving the situation as best as it can. A spokesperson for the council stated: “We are committed to working with our colleagues across the service for the best outcome so we can deliver the consistent and reliable service Birmingham residents deserve.” The authority has indicated they are actively communicating the latest developments through various channels, including social media and community newsletters, aiming to keep residents informed.
For residents impacted by the strikes, the council has not issued specific advice but encourages them to report any missed collections. They advise leaving waste bins out and assure residents they will attempt to arrange collections within two working days. If no collection occurs, residents are instructed to return their bins and wait for the next scheduled collection date.
Unite's regional officer Zoe Mayou reinforced the union’s resolve, stating, “Unite has bent over backwards to resolve this dispute but the council has negotiated in bad faith.” The union insists the responsibility to resolve the issue rests successfully with the council. While negotiations continue, the prospect of industrial action looms large over Birmingham, indicating potentially long-lasting effects on waste management services.
With support from local residents wavering amid the disruptions, the council faces mounting pressure to reconcile differences with the workers. The situation remains fluid and will depend on the outcomes of any forthcoming negotiations as both the union and council navigate the fallout from this industrial action.