Around 200 drivers were told their jobs are being downgraded as part of an equal pay-related review by the city council
14:02, 29 Apr 2025Updated 14:09, 29 Apr 2025
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
The union representing striking Birmingham bin workers this afternoon called the decision to axe drivers’ pay by thousands of pounds ‘unjustified and a clear escalation of the dispute’.
Around 200 big wagon drivers were today, Tuesday, April 29, told their jobs were being downgraded as part of an equal pay-related review and evaluation exercise by Birmingham City Council.
Pay could be reduced by around £8,000 if the proposal goes ahead, Unite said. It vowed the move would “not be accepted” as “no worker should be expected to lose these eye-watering amounts of money from their pay packet.”
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Bin workers have been on an all-out strike since March 11 after the role of Waste Recycling and Collection Officer, a Grade 3 role held by 170 staff, was axed in January.
Unite said the council’s decision to now cut bin lorry drivers’ pay showed an escalation in the dispute and the council’s real plan to use workers’ pay as a way to cut costs.
A pile of bin bags in the Selly Park area of Birmingham(Image: Alexander Brock/BirminghamLive)
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Today’s actions show Unite has been correct all along. Birmingham City Council is taking money off workers to pay off their debt to the Government. Workers are again paying the price for bad decision after bad decision.”
Unite said that West Midlands Labour Mayor Richard Parker had “let the cat out of the bag” after he said “the strikes are a consequence of being asked to do more with less.”
Ms Graham added: “Unite will not stand by and allow the council and this Labour government to inflict these savage pay cuts on workers. It is completely unjustified and a clear escalation of the dispute. It will not be accepted.
“No worker should be expected to lose these eye-watering amounts of money from their pay packet.
A box carrying the petition was left outside Birmingham Council House after the authority closed the door on striking binmen(Image: BirminghamLive/Harry Leach)
“The Government has protected a Labour council that has been treating workers in this outrageous way. It is no wonder Labour is increasingly not seen as the party of workers. They should hang their heads in shame.’
Under the council’s plans the pay rate of drivers will reduce from £40,000 to £32,000, a pay cut of £8,000, Unite said.
Last week, Unite said it believed a deal to end the long running bin strike could be “within touching distance” provided the council did not cut the pay of drivers.
The union called on council leader John Cotton – himself a Unite member – to attend ACAS talks from Thursday, May 1. Unite said “he can hide no longer” and the Labour government had a clear role in the dispute.
Black sacks and other rubbish piles up in Balsall Heath during the bin strike.(Image: Anita Maric/SWNS)
Ms Graham added: “John Cotton has said ‘no worker needs to lose pay’. Therefore, he needs to be at Acas talks this week and turn this comment into reality or step down for lying to the public.
“Also the government who owns the council debt and are profiteering from it, cannot simply sit on its hands. If this was any other employer apart from a Labour council, they would be calling them out for slashing workers’ pay.
Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: “Today’s announcement makes it clear the council have been playing games.
“It has had no intention of resolving this dispute and protecting workers, this is all about cutting workers’ pay and plunging them into financial misery.”
A council spokesperson said earlier today: “This fair and transparent job evaluation process, jointly agreed with trade unions, is necessary to ensure the council complies with equal pay laws. Today was the final workshop on the driver team leader’s role involving all Trade Unions.”
They said the decision to grade drivers as ‘Grade 3’ was ‘indicative’ only and subject to further collective consultation.
The council said: “It is part of an ongoing process of quality assurance and moderation, and this an indicative grade which is subject to further collective consultation.
“We remain committed to delivering a fair and sustainable deal for drivers and collectors and we will continue those discussions with Unite at scheduled talks later this week.”