Bin workers in Birmingham have “overwhelmingly” rejected a deal that could have ended the city’s ongoing strike, which has left rubbish piling up in the streets and led to a surge in rat sightings.
The dispute, which has dragged on for months, stems from a row over pay and job cuts. Unite, the union representing the striking workers, said the offer put to staff only offered partial protection for a small group of employees and still involved significant pay cuts, including for around 200 drivers. Workers voted decisively to reject the deal, calling it “totally inadequate.”
Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said the rejection came as no surprise. “These workers simply cannot afford to take pay cuts of this scale, especially when the council’s financial problems are the result of poor decisions,” she said.
Graham also urged the government to step in, calling for talks between all parties and for the government to urgently consider Unite’s proposal to restructure Birmingham City Council’s debts, as well as those of other struggling local authorities. She stressed the dispute is not about seeking a pay rise, but about stopping deep pay cuts.
Meanwhile, the government confirmed it had brought in military logistics experts to support the council’s clean-up efforts. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner clarified that while no troops were deployed on the ground, army planners had been assisting with the operation. “Over two-thirds of the rubbish has now been cleared,” she said, adding that the aim was to finish the clean-up before children returned to school after the Easter break.
Cllr John Cotton, Leader of the Birmingham Council commented on the situation saying, "Our work to clear the backlog is gathering pace and we will continue collecting waste throughout the week and over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
"I fully appreciate that there is still more to do, and I share the frustration of people across the city, but now that we are getting our crews out on time every day, we are starting to see a difference and I want to thank our amazing crews for their hard work over the last week.
"I also want to thank every citizen, community group and organisation that is helping with the clear-up. People are helping in neighbourhoods right across the city and their support is helping to clear our streets."
Stating that the talks to resolve the dispute will continue this week, Cllr Cotton added, "I will stress again that we have made a fair and reasonable offer that means that no-one has to lose any pay at all, with alternative roles offered within the service, or indeed a promotion to work as a driver. We’re determined to reach an agreement but in the meantime, the clear-up continues."
Residents bear the brunt of ongoing crisis
While the government tries to find a solution and clear the garbage. It is the residents who are suffering.
Patricia Earle, Trustee and Coordinator for the Women’s Federation for World Peace lives near Birmingham University, in a neighbourhood bordering streets lined with student accommodations. Speaking to Asian Voice, she described the worsening situation around her as “absolutely catastrophic.”
“Student areas are never the tidiest at the best of times,” she said, “but right now the situation is far worse than anything I’ve seen before. There’s rubbish everywhere, especially in streets with multi-occupancy homes where more people naturally produce more waste.”
Earle highlights the stark contrast between wealthier neighbourhoods and areas with higher-density housing, pointing out a visible divide in how different communities are coping with the crisis.
“In the more affluent parts of Birmingham, the bins are almost always empty. But in poorer neighbourhoods or student-heavy areas like Victoria Road, where several people share one house, the amount of rubbish is much higher,” she said. “It’s a very clear divide between the better-off areas and the more modest or overcrowded ones.”
Booking a slot at the city’s recycling centres has also proven difficult. Earle says many residents are waiting up to 10 days for an available appointment, a challenge that is even greater for those without a car or for lower-income households.
Beyond the growing eyesore, residents are increasingly worried about health risks. Reports of rats thriving among the piles of waste are common, and Earle says the situation is now at a dangerous tipping point. “People are saying the rats have grown to the size of kittens. That shows just how bad it’s become. This isn’t just unpleasant; it’s a serious public health hazard.”
She believes that government intervention is now essential. “This isn’t just a political dispute anymore. It’s about the health and safety of our communities,” she said. “Of course the workers have valid concerns, too. Their job is incredibly hard, and for them to take a stand like this shows how serious the situation must be on their side as well.”
For now, Earle and her neighbours are left waiting, as rubbish piles continue to grow. “It’s especially sad that this is happening over the holidays. In some areas, people are simply dumping rubbish into certain spots, creating huge mounds. The council should really be prioritising the areas most affected, especially where there are larger households.”
Until then, residents say they are bracing for more disruption — and hoping the crisis doesn’t lead to even more severe consequences for Birmingham’s communities.
In March, Birmingham City Council declared a major incident after more than 17,000 tonnes of uncollected waste built up, as striking workers blocked bin lorries at picket lines. The council now says it is clearing around 1,500 tonnes of rubbish daily, with 100 to 120 refuse vehicles prioritising the worst-affected areas.
