Bin workers are poised to strike across the country, union sources have warned, as the Birmingham dispute enters its sixth week with no end in sight.
Unite, one of Britain’s largest trade unions, is considering staging a series of walkouts nationwide if similar pay disputes emerge.
Asked whether strikes could follow across the country, one source told The Telegraph: “That would be the response. If it was looking for our members anywhere like it is in Birmingham, with a quarter of wages being cut, then of course there would be a response. And then it would be up to members to vote, but it’s not inconceivable.
“A lot of the funding for local authorities isn’t sorted, and then you [could] have austerity basically come back in and people’s wages start to be cut again. A lot of towns’ responses are going to be people wanting to fight against that.”
Bin workers are poised to strike across the country, union sources have warned
PA
Workers in Birmingham have overwhelmingly rejected a second offer from the council as their industrial action continues.
The dispute in Birmingham began after the council removed the role of waste recycling and collection officer.
Unite claims this will leave 150 workers about £8,000 out of pocket. The council disputes these figures, saying fewer employees will be affected and they will lose significantly less money.
Birmingham council moved to cut costs after effectively declaring itself bankrupt in 2023.
The council has been blamed for mishandling an equal pay dispute that has cost nearly £1.1 billion since 2012.
The row marks the latest clash between Labour and unions, with the Government facing accusations of being in hock to its “paymasters”.
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Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow local government secretary, called the situation a “total mess”.
He said: “It shows the impotence of Rayner and Starmer, and their unwillingness to do anything about it. They’re the puppets of the unions, and they obviously have no influence over the puppet master.”
Angela Rayner had pleaded with union bosses to accept the deal.
Similar disputes have emerged in Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire, with Unite staff in Sheffield already on strike.
Peterborough and Sheffield are among the cities at greatest risk of disruption should bin strikes escalate. An ongoing dispute over pay between Peterborough Council and the GMB union continues, with a union spokesperson confirming that strike action remains a possibility.
A senior union source warned that several local authorities are in similar situations to Birmingham
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“Our members in Peterborough are reviewing a revised pay proposal,” the spokesperson said. “We are currently balloting them on the offer.”
The Sheffield action began because Unite has not been recognised by Veolia, their employer.
Peterborough could also face disruption, with GMB union confirming strikes are “on the table” amid an ongoing pay dispute.
A senior union source warned that several local authorities are in similar situations to Birmingham.
“If it was looking for our members anywhere like it is in Birmingham… then of course there would be a response,” they said.
The impact on Birmingham residents has been severe, with reports of rats “as big as cats” feasting on uncollected rubbish.
Frustration intensified after the deal was rejected, with some locals considering taking matters into their own hands.
David Lock, a 48-year-old carer, said “sympathy for the binmen is wavering now” with some residents considering their own strike on council tax payments.
Birmingham was recently given permission by Rayner to raise council tax by 7.5 per cent.
The impact on Birmingham residents has been severe, with reports of rats “as big as cats” feasting on uncollected rubbish
PA
Birmingham city council called Unite’s decision “incredibly disappointing”, saying residents “simply deserve better” than repeated walkouts.
A spokesman said: “Our door remains open. The council must deliver improved waste services for our citizens.”
The council warned that accepting Unite’s proposals would leave it vulnerable to vast payouts in future equal pay claims.
Birmingham previously experienced a bin strike in 2017, but the current walkout has caused significantly more disruption.
The broader context includes warnings from local authority chiefs that the £69 billion announced by Rayner for English councils will do little to help cash-strapped public services.
A senior union source suggested many local authorities face uncertain funding situations.
“A lot of the funding for local authorities isn’t sorted, and then you [could] have austerity basically come back in and people’s wages start to be cut again,” they said, “A lot of towns’ responses are going to be people wanting to fight against that.”
