No deal has been reached between the city council and Unite the Union representing striking bin workers
11:01, 25 Apr 2025Updated 11:03, 25 Apr 2025
Black sacks and other rubbish piles up in Balsall Heath during the bin strike.(Image: Anita Maric/SWNS)
Birmingham waste wagons were ‘delayed’ due to strike action again this morning, Friday, April 25, the city council said.
The under pressure authority said collection carts leaving some of its depots were held up across the city due to the industrial action by Unite the Union.
Next week will see the all out strike enter its eighth week amid deadlock between Unite, representing bin workers, and the council.
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The city council posted on X today: “As of 8.30am there are delays with our waste wagons leaving some of the depots due to industrial action by Unite the Union.
“We apologise for the current situation.
“Please leave bins at the edge of your property (or collection point) we’ll collect asap.”
Unite the Union members outside the Atlas Depot in Redfern Road, Tyseley, pictured with police officers in attendance, at the start of the all-out strike
Previously striking workers have demonstrated in front of wagon exit gates and walked slowly in front of wagons to hold them up.
BirminghamLive has approached Unite for comment.
The bin workers began strike action in January following the scrapping of a waste recycling and collection officer role, which the union described as “safety-critical.”
The all out industrial action by bin workers then started on Tuesday, March 11.
The council said it had previously made a “fair and reasonable” offer to bin workers to end the dispute. But this was rejected by members following a ballot on Monday, April 14.
Earlier this week, Unite said the council had “failed again” to confirm if intends to cut the pay of hundreds of bin drivers by up to £8,000.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “We could be in touching distance of a deal but Birmingham City Council is again guilty of saying one thing in public and another in the negotiations.
“This flip flopping needs to be sorted prior to the Acas negotiations next week, so the dispute can be resolved and end the uncertainty for workers and the misery for Birmingham residents.
“The threats of savage pay cuts must also now cease for drivers. Unite has put forward workable proposals. The ball is now in the council’s court.”
The city council said: “Negotiations are ongoing and are positive. There has been agreement that there will be further discussions at the end of next week under the auspices of ACAS.”
Talks between Unite and the council are not set to resume until Thursday, May 1.
The independent public body ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) will be part of these negotiations.
It is hoped an agreement could be thrashed out, but nothing is guaranteed.