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. Article continues below 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."