Backing Birmingham's refuse workers

Unite is calling on people to join them tomorrow (Tuesday 15) at the Council House in Birmingham’s Victoria Square when the union will be delivering a petition to Birmingham City Council.

The petition in support of the more than 350 Birmingham bin workers are on strike, due to the council’s decision to abolish the safety critical Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role, meaning pay cuts of up £8,000 for 150 workers.

Birmingham’s refuse staff believe the scrapping of the WRCO role is the first step in a broader campaign of cuts across a service that is already on its knees.

Instead of negotiating with its workforce, Birmingham council is throwing much more cash down the drain with a disgraceful strike-breaking ‘major incident’ plan than it would cost to resolve the dispute.

The petition calls on the Council leader and Head Commissioner to listen to its workers and resolve this dispute!

The petition is to the Leader of Birmingham City Council John Cotton and Head Commissioner Max Caller, and says,

Dear Leader of the Council and Head Commissioner

It is time for you to take action and reverse the removal of the safety critical Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role.

Unite the Union has repeatedly sought to engage in meaningful discussions with the Council to resolve the dispute with the refuse workers.

Since the council effectively declared itself bankrupt in September 2023, 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 also includes implementing route changes and accepting cuts to overtime.

Please listen to the workers and bring an end to this dispute.

Unite regional officer Zoe Mayou said: “Unite’s door remains open to meaningful discussions with the council to resolve this dispute. It is the council that bears the responsibility … its behaviour towards its directly employed staff is vindictive and does nothing to solve the operational problems that are staring it in the face.”

The petition is being handed in at 10.30 am at Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B1 1BB.

For more information on the Back Birmingham’s Refuse Workers campaign and to sign the petition go here.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham’s recent response to Downing Street about the ongoing dispute is here. 

By Keith Hatch