Bin workers vote for industrial action over Christmas in ‘blacklisting payments row’

Bin workers in Birmingham are to take industrial action over Christmas as a row continues over payments that a union claims were made by the city’s council to refuse collectors who did not take part in last year’s bin dispute.

Workers will start an overtime ban and a work to rule starting at 00:01 hours on Saturday 29 December.

The 2017 strike lasted for three months and saw uncollected waste pile up on city’s streets.

Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said: “This was blatant blacklisting – an attempt by the council to prefer workers in a union that did not take industrial action.

“We are seeking a working environment where equality and non-discrimination are key pillars of the council’s working practices.

“The work to rule is designed to be proportionate and to allow the council time to do the right thing. It will be disruptive, but the council should listen to the message from their workforce and take immediate remedial action.

“Unite members have no wish to inflict disruption and upset to the people of Birmingham, but they have no option but to take action to protect their collective rights. The blame for this dispute lies squarely at the door of the council.”

Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for clean streets, waste and recycling at Birmingham City Council, said: “The people of Birmingham want us to reach a swift resolution and our request to Unite the union is to suspend industrial action while we take this dispute into ACAS.”