Refuse workers and agency staff in Birmingham have voted to extend strike action past local elections in May and into September.
Refuse workers in Birmingham City Council have been on strike for over 12 months, with agency staff voting to join the industrial action last year, over the council’s decision to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) roles.
Unite the Union say staff performing the ‘safety-critical’ WRCO role will lose around £8,000 a year under the plans, a figure disputed by the council.
Commenting on the vote, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said: “Our members are more determined than ever to achieve a fair settlement, and they have Unite’s unwavering support.”
“The council needs to get back around the table now because strikes will not end until we have a fair deal for Birmingham’s bin workers.”
According to its financial monitoring report, the strike action is estimated to cost Birmingham City Council £14.6m. The estimate is only a forecast until March 2026 and does not account for the latest vote.
The council has applied for a court injunction to prevent protestors from blocking refuse vehicles entering and leaving waste depots across the city.
In May last year, the council was granted an interim High Court injunction that prevented striking waste workers from obstructing vehicles at three depot sites.