Bin strikes in Birmingham could continue past the local elections in May
Birmingham City Council says bin collections have improved since the early days of the strike
Birmingham City Council has gone on the offensive – pointing out its improving figures on bin collections – in the face of lengthening strikes.
Bin strikes in Birmingham could continue past the local elections in May unless a resolution is reached, according to Unite the union. The announcement comes after workers voted overwhelmingly to extend their strike action.
Birmingham City Council’s directly employed workers will now be joined on the picket lines by agency workers from Job & Talent, who are contracted for refuse work, the union announced on Monday.
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However, the council took the opportunity to point out its recent record on the bins.
While recycling and green waste are still not being picked up in the city, the authority says tonnes of waste is – and more effiently.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council expressed disappointment that the dispute has not been resolved, as Unite has rejected all their offers. However, they reassured that regular waste collections are continuing and their contingency plan is in effect.
“We have been collecting an average of approximately 1,330 tonnes of kerbside waste every day, more than we did prior to industrial action, and over the last six months we have collected over 100,000 tonnes of kerbside waste.
“There has been a 22% increase in tonnage of waste collected per employee and a 52% improvement regarding missed collections.
“A small number of agency staff are in a separate dispute with Job & Talent. The city council has contingency plans and will continue to look to maintain residents with a minimum of one collection a week.
“Meanwhile we continue to move forward with the service improvements that are long overdue and that our residents need.”
They were responding after a Unite vote in favour of industrial action, these workers will be able to officially join the picket lines from 1 December.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham commented: “This is a real escalation in the dispute with agency workers now joining picket lines due to the terrible way they have been treated by Job & Talent and Birmingham council.
“Birmingham council is spending a fortune it doesn’t have on a dispute that could easily be resolved by agreeing a fair deal for workers.
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“Unite does what it says on the trade union tin – we are totally committed to fighting for the jobs, pay and conditions of all its members.
“Agency and directly employed workers alike in Birmingham Council’s refuse service have the union’s complete and utter support.”
Since March, hundreds of Unite members in Birmingham have been on an all-out strike over disputes regarding pay and jobs.
Unite has claimed that an increasing number of agency staff are refusing to cross the picket lines of striking bin workers due to “unsustainable” workloads.