Fed-up Birmingham residents were today bracing for more industrial action that could result from moves to reduce the pay and grading of more bin workers in an equal pay shakeup
Selly Oak, Birmingham during the bins strike earlier this month(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
Brummies were today left bracing for more bin strikes through the hot summer months after it emerged that around 200 waste wagon drivers are set to see their jobs and pay downgraded in an equal pay review.
The move has triggered a furious reaction from union leaders.
It looks likely that planned talks to end a dispute over a separate bin truck role will be scuppered.
The union Unite claims the move against drivers exposes the council as ‘liars’.
READ MORE: Massive Birmingham bin strike update as 200 more waste workers told they face huge pay cuts
Around 200 drivers, mostly men, were told their jobs were at risk of being ‘downgraded’ as part of an equal pay-related review and evaluation exercise by Birmingham City Council today (Tuesday, April 29).
Unite, the union representing around 350 striking bin workers, said the move risks the likely outcome of talks due to take place on Thursday, May 1.
Last week, Unite said that it believed a deal to end the long-running bin strike could be ‘within touching distance‘ – provided the council did not cut drivers’ pay.
It also said it wanted proof that a claim made by Cllr John Cotton, the council leader, that ‘no worker needs to lose pay’ could be evidenced.
The bitter response by the union suggests planned conciliation talks later this week, mediated by Acas, are unlikely to succeed.
READ MORE: Every word from Birmingham council leader as he faces questions amid bin strike anger
The drivers affected, currently listed as Grade 4 roles, are set to be regraded to Grade 3, which would result in a huge pay cut.
Driver team leaders, who navigate the trucks through the city’s streets, currently earn between £33,366 to £40,476, reflecting their skills and responsibilities.
This will be dropped to between £26,409 to £32,654 – the current Grade 3 pay – if the proposal goes ahead.
The news has been rumoured for weeks, with Unite the union officials warning the city council was negotiating ‘in bad faith’ and refusing to discuss its plans for drivers, despite valid concerns about their future.
One bin worker who contacted BirminghamLive this morning said it was a huge step back, and showed that the council had been ‘spinning lies’ to its workers.
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
“They kept insisting the dispute would not impact truck drivers. This shows there has been a web of deceit by this council.”
Unite is currently in dispute with the council over a separate job role for the bins. The role of Waste Recycling and Collection Officer, a Grade 3 role held by 170 staff, was axed in January, triggering a wave of industrial action.
On March 11 an all-out strike was called, with the city’s streets left full of rubbish and a major incident declared as a result.
READ MORE: Birmingham bin workers pay cut ‘unjustified and clear escalation of dispute’, says Unite
There had been hopes that the seven-week all-out strike could be over soon, with Acas (Arbitration and Conciliation Advisory Service) leading conciliation talks between the council and Unite.
But today’s news of the likely ‘regrading’ of drivers has dealt a fresh blow.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said workers were having their pay cut to ‘pay off Birmingham’s debt’ and were ‘paying the price for bad decision after bad decision.”
She vowed: “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.”
She also declared that the Labour government was protecting the council. “It is no wonder Labour is increasingly not seen as the party of workers. They should hang their heads in shame.”
Unite also called on Councillor Cotton, himself a member of Unite, to be personally present at the Acas talks. To date, negotiations have been handled by senior council officials, led by the executive director of people services, Katy Fox.
Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: “Today’s announcement makes it clear the council has 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 in response to our inquiries about the downgrading of the driver role to Grade 3: “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.
“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.”