![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_1D0A4772JPG.jpg\")
Bin workers striking outside Lifford Lane in Kings Norton on May 20(Image: Nick Wilkinson)<\/p>\nNew development in Birmingham bin strike explained as Unite claims deal progress is being ‘blocked’Bin workers striking outside Lifford Lane in Kings Norton on May 20(Image: Nick Wilkinson)<\/p>\n
Furious union officials claimed council commissioners were ‘blocking’ progress in negotiations to end Birmingham’s crippling bin strike.<\/p>\n
Unite, the union representing Birmingham’s striking bin workers, made fresh claims today, Wednesday, May 21 saying government-appointed commissioners and Birmingham City Council had “sabotaged” progress in Acas talks, which began on May 1.<\/p>\n
Council bosses hit back at Unite’s claim, saying they were “committed to making a revised offer” and it would be untrue to imply progress was being blocked.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Bin workers’ pay talks being ‘blocked’ by government as deal being ‘sabotaged’<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The new statements from both sides came as the city’s all-out strike reached its eleventh week.<\/p>\n The action followed a series of walk-outs from waste workers that started in January.<\/p>\n Striking bin workers are disputing the city council\u2019s decision to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) roles from its bin crews, affecting 170 staff.<\/p>\n The authority previously said it had no choice but to eliminate the role because of its implications in equal pay issues.<\/p>\n The council previously insisted a \u201cfair and reasonable offer\u201d <\/a>had been made to striking workers, with council leader John Cotton adding it \u201ccannot and will not entertain anything that would re-open an equal pay liability\u201d.<\/p>\n Arbitration and conciliation service Acas became involved in negotiations after previous talks between Unite and the Labour-run council ended without an agreement.<\/p>\n Unite boss Sharon Graham claimed the ‘fair offer’ referred to by council officials ‘does not exist.’<\/p>\n There are fears of a return to previously-seen waste mountains after police assistance appeared to be scaled back and go-slow tactics of pickets resumed at the city’s three bin depots.<\/p>\n BirminghamLive spent time at the Lifford Lane depot on Tuesday, May 20 where a handful of bin workers could be seen standing in front of waste wagons.<\/p>\n Each truck turned around after keeping their engines running for around 20 minutes. No wagons left the Kings Norton depot.<\/p>\n “I don\u2019t want to be downgraded. I can\u2019t afford to lose the \u00a38,000 to \u00a310,000, so I\u2019ve got to do it (strike),” one driver told BirminghamLive.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t what to do it and see the streets the way they are.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to get out there and clean them – but it seems like after 20 years they\u2019ve (the council) have had enough of long-term staff.” Read more in our report, here.<\/a><\/p>\n Ms Graham said ongoing negotiations had been a “shambles.”<\/p>\n She said: \u201cUnite deals with thousands of negotiations every year. From the council side, the negotiations in this dispute have been a shambles, with the government right at the heart of it.<\/p>\n \u201cThe offer briefed to the press for all affected workers never existed and the new ballpark offer discussed at Acas has now been blocked by government commissioners.<\/p>\n “Instead of trying to injunct picket lines and attack workers, the council leader should stop playing games, get in the room and solve this dispute.<\/p>\n \u201cBirmingham<\/a> City Council\u2019s bin workers, residents and the public at large have all been lied to.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bottom line is our members can\u2019t afford to have savage pay cuts of up to \u00a38,000 with no mitigation. Until that issue is addressed, the strikes will continue.<\/p>\n “If Labour is truly the party for workers, how can this government be aiding and abetting these cuts and once again allowing workers and communities to pay the price?\u201d<\/p>\n Latest from council<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_1D0A4758JPG.jpg\")
A handful of police officers were seen at the Lifford Lane site on May 20(Image: Nick Wilkinson)<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745934311_443_3_Rat-poison-prices-hiked-during-bin-strikes-as-Squeaky-Blinders-run-riot.jpg\")
Black sacks and other rubbish piles up in Balsall Heath during the bin strike.(Image: Anita Maric\/SWNS)Latest from Unite<\/p>\n