Birmingham City Council has issued an apology to residents after suspending all household waste collections across the city on Monday, December 1. The decision was forced by mass pickets and protests at key refuse depots, which saw agency staff join the industrial action for the first time.
Strike Action Escalates Across City Depots
The council confirmed that collections were suspended due to striking workers, including those employed via the Job & Talent agency, forming picket lines. The main rally began at the Smithfield Depot on Sherlock Street, where agency workers stood with directly employed council refuse collectors.
From there, the group marched through the city centre towards the Council House in Victoria Square. Simultaneous rallies were also held at two other key sites: the Atlas bin depot in Tyseley and the Perry Barr depot on Holford Drive.
Union Accuses Council of 'Appalling Treatment'
Unite, the union representing the striking staff, stated that the number of agency workers participating is growing daily. They have made serious allegations against the council, claiming workers face bullying, harassment and threats of blacklisting.
Unite's General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: "Birmingham Council will only resolve this dispute when it stops the appalling treatment of its workforce. Agency workers have now joined with directly employed staff to stand up against the massive injustices done to them."
Council Apology and Service Update
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council addressed the disruption directly: "Due to expected mass pickets and protests across our waste depots we have taken the decision to suspend collections today. We apologise for the inconvenience. Collections will resume tomorrow."
The authority aims to complete all missed collections by Sunday, December 7. Residents are advised to leave their bins out as normal for the remainder of the week. The council expects normal service to resume from Tuesday, December 2.
