Mark Conrad 14 August 2017

Birmingham bin strike could last until Christmas, union warns

Birmingham City Council has publicly apologised to residents affected by an ongoing bin strike which could last until December.

The trade union at the centre of the long-running dispute over proposed new working practises, Unite, is poised to seek fresh approval for further strikes by its members, which could mean a continuation of industrial action until Christmas.

Birmingham has offered to take the dispute to the arbitration service, ACAS, in a bid to resolve the issue.

The city has been disrupted by Unite’s strike action for weeks and in some areas rubbish has been piling up on the streets, although the council has implemented an emergency three-week collection plan to tackle mounting problems.

In an open letter to Birmingham’s residents, Cllr Lisa Trickett, Birmingham’s cabinet member for clean streets, recycling and environment, said: ‘We apologise to the people of Birmingham for this situation and we will continue to talk with our trade union colleagues in a bid to try to resolve the dispute as soon as possible.’

‘Despite the huge challenge posed by the industrial action, we have made great progress in tackling the backlog of missed collections.

‘Lessons have been learnt through this contingency process that will be put into place if the dispute continues.

‘It hasn’t been easy and I know your patience has been tested.

‘We are fully aware this is one of the few genuinely universal services we provide so one missed collection is one missed collection too many.’

But Unite’s assistant general secretary, Howard Beckett, warned the dispute could continue for months unless the two sides reach an agreement.

‘We continue to hold talks with the council, but progress has been slow and we would call on the council to now step up and conclude this urgently,’ he said.

‘In the absence of a settlement, we will be balloting our members from August 17 on whether they wish to take strike action and/or industrial action short of a strike after the current industrial action comes to an end in September.

‘The current round of industrial action is due to end on September 21 and a renewed industrial action mandate could see this dispute continuing up to Christmas.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Finance Administrator

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Finance AdministratorPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Customer Services Adviser (Housing Repairs

Mansfield District Council
£28,598 - £33,699 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire - a place of many strong connections Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

No Wrong Door Deputy Manager

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata
We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and dynamic professional to join our management team within our innovative No Wrong Door (NWD) service. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Resource Centre Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £38,220 per annum pro rata
You will work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that you have sound knowledge of the children you are caring for Morton on Swale, Northallerton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum, pro rata
Our Family Assessment and Support Teams you will work with a range of children and their families, carers and networks. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner