Dozens of agency refuse workers in Birmingham have joined strike action for the first time, with participants stating they have been "victimised" and have now "given themselves a voice to be heard". The walkout on Monday, December 1, significantly escalates a long-running industrial dispute that has disrupted waste collections across the city.
Agency Workers Take a Stand
Approximately 40 staff employed through the Job & Talent agency are now on strike alongside hundreds of full-time bin workers employed directly by Birmingham City Council. The agency workers balloted for action amid serious allegations of "blacklisting, bullying and intimidation" within the service.
More than 200 workers gathered for a rally outside the Smithfield depot on Sherlock Street, before marching towards the council house at Victoria Square. The protest was marked by flares, firecrackers, and chants of "unite, unite, we stand up and we fight".
Bin loader Luke Graham, who has worked via the agency for three-and-a-half years, explained his reasons for striking. "The reason I've come out is the way the council treats us and even the agency. The way they communicate is unacceptable," he said. "It's the 'blacklisting', the constant threats on your job."
He added that agency staff had continued working during earlier strikes by full-time colleagues, but instead of thanks, they faced further threats. The workers have vowed to continue their action "for as long as it takes" to secure better standards and permanent job opportunities.
Allegations of Victimisation and Bullying
Mike Masters, a driver and team leader, described the strike as a historic moment. "It's the first time in the strike agency workers have been brought out on strike," he stated. "They are sick to death of being victimised and bullied."
He accused council managers of making false promises to agency staff when full-time workers first walked out in March, only to threaten them with the sack six months later. "They are sending them extra work, which is inconceivable. They can't complete the jobs they've been given to do. It's absolute victimising and bullying. It's shocking," Masters said.
Driver Luke Dalton highlighted the precarious nature of agency work, revealing that some individuals had been on temporary contracts for up to 12 years. He claimed the constant threat of instant dismissal – a phone call saying "don't come back tomorrow" – had finally pushed workers to take a stand with union support.
Council Response and Service Impact
Bin collections were largely suspended across Birmingham for the day, although some residents still had their bins emptied. The Unite union stated its members did not block lorries from leaving depots, asserting that "the council made the decision to suspend services".
In a statement, a council spokeswoman said they were disappointed the dispute continued as Unite had "rejected all our offers". She emphasised that contingency plans were working, with an average of approximately 1,330 tonnes of kerbside waste collected daily – more than prior to industrial action.
The council strongly refuted allegations of bullying, calling them "unfounded", and stated that a full investigation into blacklisting claims had concluded that no blacklisting had taken place. They credited agency staff with being "crucial to delivering a consistent waste service" during the strikes.
Meanwhile, striking workers and supporting politicians, including Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana, called for the council to return to negotiations. With Christmas approaching, the pressure is mounting to resolve a dispute that has caused significant stress for workers and disruption for Birmingham residents.
