Birmingham bin workers ballot for strike action over city council's 'plan to cut wages'

Up to 400 Birmingham refuse workers are are being balloted for strike action over the council's plans to slash wages. Unite the union says the vote comes after the council refused to back down on its plans to cut pay by removing the safety critical Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role.

It said that most of the around 150 staff performing the WRCO role have been working for Birmingham waste collection services for more than 30 years and could lose up to £8,000 a year under the plans. Unite said they bring essential safety expertise to an often dirty and dangerous job – as exemplified by the tragic death of Coventry binman David Carpenter, who was crushed in a lorry compactor in January 2023.

The ballot for strike action opens this Friday, November 22 and closes on Wednesday, December 4. BirminghamLive has approached the city council for comment.

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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Birmingham council’s plans to remove a safety critical role to attack workers’ pay are abhorrent. Birmingham’s refuse workers go above and beyond and are already shouldering unfair demands for a crisis they didn’t create and shouldn’t have to pay for. They have Unite’s total backing.”

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Since the council effectively declared itself bankrupt last September, refuse staff represented by Unite have worked with management in good faith to ensure services continue to operate despite detrimental impacts to their pay and working conditions.

This includes implementing route changes, accepting cuts to overtime and night-time allowances and working around problems caused by the council’s aging and breakdown prone fleet of bin lorries.

Unite regional coordinating officer Frank Keogh said: “Birmingham council is deliberately playing fast and loose with the safety of workers and the general public. Birmingham’s refuse workers are done being scapegoats for a crisis created by politicians.

“They’ve already sacrificed plenty to keep services running while facing relentless attacks on their jobs. Axing the WRCO role is seen as just the first step in a broader attack on their pay, terms, and conditions.”