Bin workers vow to 'strike rest of year or as long as it takes to get fair deal'

SCORES OF WORKERS HAVE TAKEN TO PICKET LINES IN A ROW OVER PAY AND A REMOVAL OF ROLES AT THE CITY COUNCIL-RUN DEPOTS OF LIFFORD LANE, IN KINGS NORTON, ATLAS, IN TYSELEY AND PERRY BARR, SINCE

JANUARY 05:30, 21 May 2025Updated 08:32, 21 May 2025 Birmingham bin workers have vowed to 'strike for the rest of 2025 or as long as it takes to get a fair deal.' Scores of

workers have taken to picket lines outside city council-run depots at Lifford Lane in Kings Norton, Atlas in Tyseley and Perry Barr, in a row over pay and a removal of roles. Some arrive as

early as 4am and stay to around 2pm every weekday. Others give up time with their families to protest at weekends. READ MORE: BIRMINGHAM BIN STRIKE COLLECTIONS CUT OFF AGAIN AS COUNCIL GIVES

'VERY FEW' UPDATE READ MORE: BIRMINGHAM'S REPUTATION 'COULD TAKE YEARS TO REPAIR' AFTER BIN STRIKE ENDS - EXPERT WARNS On-and-off strikes began from January with

all-out industrial action starting from March 11. Initially piles of rubbish quickly grew on Birmingham's streets but the picture improved when police officers sent to the sites used

powers to restrict pickets' go-slow protests, which significantly delayed dustcarts getting out on their rounds. However there are now fears of a return to the waste mountains after

police assistance appeared to be scaled back and the go-slow tactics resumed. There has been no sign of a breakthrough in the dispute despite talks between Unite the union, on behalf of bin

workers, the city council, and independent conciliation service ACAS. A handful of bin workers could be seen standing in front of waste wagons at Lifford Lane yesterday, Tuesday, May 20.

Drivers of eight waste trucks did not attempt to keep their wheels moving or cross the picket line where workers were standing. Each truck turned around after keeping their engines running

for around 20-minutes. No wagons left the Kings Norton depot. "I don’t want to be downgraded. I can’t afford to lose the £8,000 to £10,000, so I’ve got to do it (strike)," one

driver told BirminghamLive: “I don’t what to do it and see the streets the way they are. “I want to get out there and clean them - but it seems like after 20 years they’ve (the council) have

had enough of long-term staff. “I think they want agency workers so they can hire and fire easily. “I’m prepared to stay out for this summer or even the year. I think a lot of the lads are

because we haven’t got a choice. “Why should I give up a job I love? "We have mortgages and families to think about. One lad had to shoot off as his wife’s gone into labour this

morning. "There's a lot riding on this for all of us." Unite lead representative Matt Reid told BirminghamLive: “We’re not being encouraged to move forward (from the trucks).

We’re here to delay the vehicles, not obstruct them. “We’ll be out here for as long as it takes - all of us. We’ve got to put a line in the sand. “People cannot lose £8,000 from their pay.

“We’re waiting for a deal our members will accept - it isn’t a large amount of money. “It wouldn’t be a victory for us. It would be compensation for that loss that we’re going to incur.

“Birmingham City Council has done what it always does and blamed equal pay. “Equal pay is suppose to raise women up to the level of men, not lower pay to the level of women. That’s our

understanding of it.” Around 370 people work out of the three depots, including more than 20 women. The council posted on X on May 20: "Unfortunately actions by pickets at our three

depots have meant very few of our waste lorries have been deployed this AM. "This will affect the amount of collections we are able to make. Please leave your bins out and we will

collect them as soon as possible. We apologise for the disruption." It follows previous delays at two of its depots on Friday and three on Monday, May 19. West Midlands Police had been

using Section 14 legislation of the Public Order Act where protesters were kept behind barriers. This ensured the exit of waste trucks. But police stopped those powers earlier this month.

There has also been a reduced police officer presence at picket lines. Article continues below A police spokesman told BirminghamLive: "Following a High Court ruling last week on the

use of Section 14 powers, we have reassessed the legal position and the powers available to us. "The section 14 legislation is no longer in place as the issue does not currently meet

the threshold. "We will continue to assess the situation and ensure our presence at the sites is in line with our core policing responsibilities."