Birmingham Bin Strikes to Continue for Months Amid Deepening Industrial Dispute
Birmingham bin strikes are set to continue for months after more workers voted to extend industrial action. Agency workers employed by Job&Talent have joined the dispute for the first time, with the union Unite citing issues including bullying, harassment, and intimidation.
A leaked clip has emerged showing a Job&Talent manager warning agency staff they could be blacklisted by Birmingham City Council for joining the strike. The council investigated the matter and stated no blacklisting occurred. Job&Talent responded by saying the comments do not reflect the company's position and denied any blacklisting practices.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described the situation as an escalation, emphasizing the union's ongoing fight for jobs, pay, and conditions for both agency and directly-employed workers.
Despite the dispute, Birmingham City Council reported that waste collections continue under a contingency plan. On average, 1,330 tonnes of kerbside waste have been collected daily. Over the past six months, more than 100,000 tonnes of waste were collected, alongside a 22% rise in waste collected per employee and a 52% improvement in missed collections. The council has committed to maintaining this level of service during the dispute.
