Latest series of dramatic images from across Birmingham as council makes offer to binmen in a hope to finally end the strike

17:05, 02 Jun 2025Updated 17:05, 02 Jun 2025

Bags of rubbish and bins on the pavement in Sparkbrook today, Monday, June 2.(Image: Getty Images)

These were the scenes today across Birmingham as a deal offer was made to striking bin workers, with hopes for an end to the crippling strike.

Bin bags were packed with rubbish piled high, despite hand-written warnings from locals not to throw litter in the street.

Pavements in Sparkbrook, Tyseley and Selly Oak were overflowing with black bags as residents expressed fears of rats in their homes.

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Bin workers have been on an all-out strike since March 11 over claims that up to £8,000 could be cut from workers’ pay, which the Unite union said placed “mortgages, rent and livelihoods at risk”.

In Sparkbrook, people had thrown their rubbish on top of bags left previously, ignoring a cardboard note attached to a fence. It read: “Do not throw any rubbish anywhere over here.

“CCTV will be watching you! And you will be reported to the police and will be fined. We do not want any rats in our homes!!!”

Other images showed a shocking pile of fly-tipping next to a pedestrian crossing in Tyseley.

(Image: Getty Images)

The latest photos come in the wake of a written offer to striking workers by Birmingham City Council. However, it still could be days or even weeks before a deal is done.

Unite, representing most of the council’s waste service staff, described the offer as ‘watered down’ from what it expected following negotiations.

READ MORE: In pictures: State of bins in Sparkbrook, Tyseley and Selly Oak as deal offer raises hopes

In a statement at the weekend, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is is important to remind people what the dispute is about: bin workers in Birmingham waking up one morning and being told their pay would be cut by up to £8,000.

“For some that’s up to a quarter of their pay, putting their mortgages, rents and livelihoods at risk.

“The government and the leader of the council have been attacking these workers for weeks for defending themselves and their families by striking, while briefing the public that these workers should accept an offer on the table that never existed.” Read the latest on the bin strike here.