Birmingham bin workers are set to strike again next week after talks to end the deadlock failed. Unite union negotiators met with council bosses on Monday, as 370 members walked out of depots.
According to Unite, the council has “refused to reverse or delay the implementation of attacks on workers’ pay” and has decided to abolish what the union described as the safety-critical Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role, which many affected workers have held for decades.
With no news of an agreement, refuse workers are expected to walk out again on Tuesday (Jan 14). A further 10 strikes are planned until April or when agreement between the council and union is reached.
Read More: Birmingham bin strike talks ‘taking place today’ in bid to end further walkouts
Unite regional officer Zoe Mayou joined striking teams at Lifford Lane Depot in Kings Norton on Monday. She said: ”It’s a very good turnout. It’s the same at the other depots, about 370 members have come out and we’re getting new members join all the time.
“We are talking to the council but we are not sure if we are talking to the right decision makers.” She added: “I never expected anything less from our membership they had a strong ethos that they were going to take strike action and they’re here. They’re used to working in these weathers of course.”
Birmingham bin workers go on strike today with “huge disruption” expected across the city on the first of 12 strike days. Pictured: Unite Regional officer Zoe Mayou with striking workers at the Lifford Lane depot in Kings Norton
(Image: Birmingham Live)
On why bin men are striking, Ms Mayou explained: “It’s about the removal of a role that we believe is safety critical, a review of making sure that a role that replaces it is correctly done.”
Birmingham bin strike dates
The remaining strike action dates currently planned are:
- January 14, 22, 30
- February 7, 10,18, 26
- March 6, 14, 25
- April 2