Birmingham residents face missed bin collections due to unexpected strike dates announced by workers. The Unite union has ramped up industrial action over job cuts.
The Unite union is adding more strike days starting today, February 4, instead of February 7. They’ve also announced 13 strike dates for March.
As the picket lines grow, let’s look at why this strike is happening. It’s causing missed collections and frustration for residents.
So, why are the bin crews striking? The issue began when Birmingham City Council decided to cut the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer role. This role is linked to equal pay claims from other workers, and cutting it is seen as a way to avoid future claims.
However, the union argues that this role is crucial for safety. They say it could lead to pay cuts of up to £8,000 for 150 workers.
Birmingham bin workers will now strike more days in February and March. Here’s the full list of strike dates announced on February 3:
February: 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, and 27
March: 3, 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 21, 25, 26, 28, and 31
April: 2 and 4
Unite has warned there could be more strike dates if the issue isn’t resolved.
Birmingham taxpayers are facing another week of bin strikes.
What has the council said? A spokesperson expressed disappointment over the strikes. They are working through the dispute resolution process and aim to minimize disruption.
They thanked residents for their patience and assured them they are committed to resolving the situation. The council is also focused on the safety of employees and residents.
They’ve taken steps to support affected workers. Of the 170 impacted employees, over 130 have already chosen options like redeployment or voluntary redundancy.
The council is working quickly to reduce uncertainty and ensure a reliable service for Birmingham residents.
