Birmingham bin strikes week 9: When will it finally end and when will my bin be collected?
When will the Birmingham bin strike end? When will my bin be collected? We answers your questions as major strike action continues into its tenth week.
The Birmingham bin strike, now heading towards its ninth week, shows no immediate signs of ending.
The dispute centres on the council’s decision to scrap the Waste Collection and Recycling Officer role, which the union claims has led to pay cuts of up to £8,000 for 150 workers. The council disputes this, stating that only 17 employees face a maximum loss of just over £6,000.
The Labour-run council insists its pay offer is fair, while the union argues the strike could be resolved if workers were given a “decent rate of pay.” Talks remain at a standstill, though the council says its “door is still open” for negotiations.
With no resolution in sight, the strike has now been declared indefinite until an agreement is reached.
Meanwhile, uncollected rubbish continues to pile up across the city, with MPs even referencing the crisis in parliament—pointing out that “rats the size of cats,” dubbed the “Squeaky Blinders,” have become a serious issue.
The strike has now escalated to five days per week, Monday to Friday, causing further disruption. Here’s what residents need to know:
- Household waste collection: Put your grey-lid bin out on your usual collection day. If it is not collected, leave it out, and it will be collected as soon as possible, including weekends.
- Recycling collections: Suspended for the duration of the strike. Do not put out your blue-lid bin.
- Excess waste: Neatly bundled side waste, such as cardboard and newspaper, will be collected if placed in black bags next to your bin.
- Garden waste collections: Suspended until further notice. Refunds will be issued automatically for 2025 subscriptions.
- Bulky waste collections: New bookings are paused, but previously booked collections will still be completed.
- Missed collections: Continue to leave your bin out or take your waste to one of Birmingham’s five Household Recycling Centres, which now have extended opening hours.
Unless both sides return to the negotiating table and reach a compromise, the strike is unlikely to end soon. For now, residents are urged to follow the waste collection guidance and make alternative arrangements where necessary.