Job & Talent agency said recent review found ‘no wrongdoing’ after recent allegations of ‘profiteering’ through ongoing bin dispute

This is the moment striking bin workers gathered outside a Birmingham job agency amid the union’s £6million claim.

Unite the union claimed cash-strapped Birmingham City Council had forked out £6millon extra to keep its refuse service going during the strike by using workers from Job & Talent agency.

The union accused the company of “profiteering” and “strike-breaking” in the ongoing dispute as it led a demonstration outside the firm’s offices in Waterloo Street today, September 9.

Read more: Striking Birmingham binmen stage demo outside job agency amid union £6m claim

Video from the protest shows one person shouting “shame on you” through a megaphone as other strikers make themselves known with loud music, including police sirens.

In response to the accusations and today’s protest, a spokesman for Job & Talent said it was aware of the “recent allegations against the company.”

He said: “Job & Talent confirms that all staffing practices related to the three refuse depots across Birmingham are fully compliant with all applicable legislation.

The strike outside the agency

“Staffing levels have been maintained in line with those that existed prior to the start of the industrial action, with no increase in numbers at any of the depots across the city.

“A review was undertaken by the Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), which Job&Talent fully cooperated with. The audit concluded with no findings of wrongdoing, reaffirming the company’s full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

“Job&Talent remains firmly committed to operating with transparency, integrity, and in full accordance with employment laws.

Protesters outside the Job&Talent agency building

“It prioritises the rights, welfare, and safety of its workforce, maintaining regular communication to ensure all workers feel supported. Open to constructive dialogue with all stakeholders, the company will continue to act responsibly in supporting both clients and workers throughout this period.”

Birmingham bin workers have been on an all-out strike since January over a job and pay wrangle and recently voted to continue industrial action until next March.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will not let Job & Talent off the hook. It has played a key role in prolonging the dispute by providing agency labour to try and undermine the strike.

“It won’t work – strikes will continue with Unite’s full support until a fair deal is reached for these workers. Until it stops providing strike breaking labour, Unite will keep Job & Talent’s feet to the fire.”