Striking bin workers in Birmingham have voted to extend their industrial action mandate past the city’s May local elections and into September 2026.
The decision means refuse workers — and staff employed by recruitment firm Job & Talent — will maintain strike action in the long-running dispute with Birmingham City Council unless a settlement is reached.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Our members are more determined than ever to achieve a fair settlement, and they have Unite’s unwavering support.’
Unite argues that the council has fired and rehired both loaders – former Waste Recycling and Collection Officers (WRCOs) – and drivers onto contracts that reduce pay by up to £8,000.
The council says that the trade union has rejected ‘fair and reasonable offers’, adding that it is ‘hard to understand why the strike is continuing.’
‘All of the 170 former WRCOs were successfully redeployed or elected to take VR [voluntary redundancy],’ said Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for Environment and Transport.
‘Of the 144 DTLs [Driver Team Leader], the majority have agreed to accept the new role with the standard 6 months’ pay protection, with others taking voluntary redundancy or other alternative roles within the service.’
