Talks to resume over long-running Birmingham bin strike saga
Negotiations between Birmingham City Council and Unite the Union will restart today (Monday 31) to attempt to resolve a pay dispute for refuse collectors.
Workers have been striking for weeks over the council’s decision to abolish the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role.
The council said it would be issuing compulsory redundancy notices for workers who have declined all offers on the table.
It said it has offered all staff alternative employment at the same pay, and almost three-quarters of staff have taken up this offer or decided to take voluntary redundancy.
There are now 41 workers who have declined any offer and 35 workers who opted for valuable and skilled driver training who have also told the council through a letter from Unite that they are working under protest.
Unite says the WRCO role brings safety expertise to “an often dirty and dangerous job” and highlights that at least 21 workers and eight members of the public have been killed in accidents involving the collection of non-hazardous waste in the last five years.
A statement from the council on its updates said: “It is regrettable that it has come to this, the council has consistently tried to find a solution to the industrial action. We have made a very fair offer which means that no worker need lose any money. That offer remains open.
“We confirm that regrettably we have informed Unite representatives that next week we will formally notify and enter a period of collective consultation regarding compulsory redundancies for those who have declined all offers on the table.
“This is about securing a better waste service for the people of Birmingham. We thank staff who are working under difficult conditions and recognise the frustration of residents for which we apologise.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The council has tried to smear Birmingham refuse workers with totally baseless accusations of threats and intimidation on peaceful picket lines.
“But the only threats and intimidation have come from the council itself by saying it will fire more than 70 workers who sent letters of protest about the pay cuts.
“The council’s behaviour is absolutely disgusting. Bully boy tactics are just making this dispute worse – our members will not back down and neither will Unite.”
Unite national lead officer, Onay Kasab, said: “There is no positive spin Unite can put on today’s negotiations.
“Rather than look for solutions to the strike the council instead announced that it will make workers who have already seen their pay massively cut redundant, while it has refused to rule out pay cuts for drivers. Unite will ensure these redundancies do not take place.
“This development will be bitterly disappointing for Birmingham residents but while Unite is prepared to examine all options to resolve the dispute the same commitment does not apply to the council or the government commissioners who have oversight of the city.”
