Birmingham bin picket - Photo: Unite

The strike of the bin workers in Birmingham [1], which deserves the support of all concerned people, is taking place in the context of the imposition of so-called "fixing the foundations of local government", as Jim McMahon, Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, termed it in opening a debate in the House of Commons on Birmingham City Council on March 31, 2025.

Government-appointed "commissioners" were brought in after the council effectively declared bankruptcy in 2023. The "commissioners" were to oversee the council's financial recovery, according to reports [2]. "Bankruptcy" in this context appears to mean that it will not make new spending commitments, being faced with reduced government funding, rising spending on social programmes, or mismanagement. In seeking to appeal to the government to meet necessary levels of funding, the council has been met with the appointment of "commissioners" charged with ensuring spending cuts are implemented. Thus the "commissioners" have played their role in overseeing the council's financial decisions, including those related to waste collection services. The removal of the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role by the council was one of the issues which sparked the strike on March 11.

Police break picket line Atlas Road depot - Photo: Nick Wilkinson BirminghamLive

The government has sought to affirm that the bin workers dispute has nothing to do with them, and it cannot legally intervene in the industrial action as it is a dispute between the workers and the "commissioners". Nevertheless, it has lost no time in siding with the "commissioners" and calling on the workers to accept a new deal to end the dispute.

On April 14, the striking bin workers overwhelmingly rejected the council's latest offer, which was termed "totally inadequate" by the workers and their union. The deal, which still includes substantial pay cuts for workers, also does not protect from £8,000 pay cuts, nor does it address potential pay cuts for 200 drivers.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said that a "significantly improved" offer had been made and that the city council had "moved significantly to meet the demands of the workers so we can see an end to this dispute". The response of Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham was that the deal referred to by Rayner represented "a partial deal on pay protection for a few" and that the striking bin workers were "in the driving seat around what they wish to accept".

Birmingham bin workers - Photo: Unite

The Unite leader said: "Whilst it is helpful that the government finally realised after weeks that they have a role in this dispute, the constant attacks and briefings against these low paid bin workers is frankly a disgrace." She said that the new deal "still leaves these workers worrying about how they are going to pay their mortgages and rent payments in a few months' time". [3]

In fact, the government has also intervened in other ways, for instance seeking to make the picketing a law and order issue. A day after the visit by local government minister Jim McMahon, police officers changed their approach to policing a picket line at the Tyseley depot. Unite members had previously been effective at delaying bin lorries from being deployed, but from April 4 they were told their actions could amount to public order offences. Jim McMahon said that 120 wagons had completed their rounds on the day, compared with about 20 a week previously. The government has also employed army personnel, not in an overt form of soldiers removing the health hazard of thousands of tons piled-up rubbish, but in what is mysteriously described as "logistical support" by a "small number of office-based military planners". [4]

Unite reported that talks had continued on April 16. Unite asked council negotiators to put in writing what has been said in public by them, so members could consider it as an official offer.

1. That no-one would lose any pay.
2. That WRCO workers that moved sideways into new jobs would not lose pay in the long term.
3. That drivers would not lose pay by being downgraded, which would result in an £8,000 loss.
4. That WRCO workers who do not wish to make a sideways move would receive a one-off payment of £16,000 to cover two years loss of £8,000 in pay cuts.

Unite reported that the council negotiators refused to put this in writing. The union offered to continue negotiations for the rest of the week and over the bank holiday weekend. However, the council has said talks will not resume until next Wednesday.

Other unions such as the FBU have declared their solidarity with the Unite union and the bin workers. Andrew Scattergood, Fire Brigades Union Executive Council member for the West Midlands, said: "We do not break strikes. The FBU would advise members to refuse to carry out such work." FBU General Secretary Steve Wright said: "Birmingham bin workers are public servants who provide an essential service. They have our full solidarity in their fight to defend their pay, jobs and conditions. It's time for Birmingham Council to settle this dispute."

In maintaining their unity and fighting for their dignity, the bin workers are adhering to the workers' spirit that "Enough Is Enough". In persisting in their struggle with confidence that they will prevail, the bin workers are building unity around the fact that there is a way out of the crisis, and this lies in fighting for the alternative and against the cuts. In other words, the alternative is being outlined by the bin workers speaking in their own name and maintaining their own perspective on the struggle. For the workers, this is being "in the driving seat", concerned not only with the attacks on their pay and conditions, but also with the necessity to fund social programmes such as waste collection which are the responsibility of the council on behalf of the society.

Donate to the strike fund - Unite WM/7186 Branch, account: 20308397, sort code: 608301. Title donation: BCC Strike Donation

Notes
1. For earlier background to the strike, see Workers' Weekly https://www.rcpbml.org.uk/wwie-25/ww25-07/ww25-07-06.htm & Workers' Weekly https://www.rcpbml.org.uk/wwie-25/ww25-08/ww25-08-04.htm
2. See, for example, "Birmingham bin strikes explained", Circular: https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/birmingham-bin-strikes-explained-what-is-the-dispute-about/
3. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "For weeks, these workers have faced attacks from government and their employer pushing the lie that only a handful of workers are affected by the council's plans to cut pay by up to £8,000.
"Instead of peddling untruths about these low paid workers and focusing on winning a media war, the government should have taken the time to check facts and used its office to bring the council to the table in a meaningful way.
"The rejection of the offer is no surprise as these workers simply cannot afford to take pay cuts of this magnitude to pay the price for bad decision after bad decision.
"From the start, the council has constantly moved the goalposts for these workers, prolonging the strikes in the process. First it was equal pay, then it was about improving the waste service, then cost cutting. The list goes on.
"Unite has set out simple and reasonable steps to the council to resolve these issues. It is important to remember that this dispute is not about a pay rise; it is about preventing serious pay cuts.
"The government must now call a meeting with the stakeholders to ensure these steps are taken to bring the strike to an end.
"The government must now also urgently consider Unite's proposal for debt restructure at Birmingham City Council and other local authorities. Workers and communities cannot continue to pay the price."
4. London Evening Standard: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/politics/government/army-to-help-tackle-birmingham-rubbish-as-bin-workers-vote-on-strike-deal/ar-AA1CRQ1A#:~:text=The%20Army%20has%20been%20called%20in%20to%20help,%E2%80%9Cpartial%20deal%E2%80%9D%20aimed%20at%20ending%20their%20

(BBC, Unite, NSSN)

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