Birmingham bin workers ballot for strike over pay

The vote comes after the council refused to back down on its plans to cut pay by removing the safety critical Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Birmingham council’s plans to remove a safety critical role to attack workers’ pay are abhorrent.

“Birmingham’s refuse workers go above and beyond and are already shouldering unfair demands for a crisis they didn’t create and shouldn’t have to pay for. They have Unite’s total backing.”

Birmingham City Council has been contacted for comment.

Most of the around 150 staff performing the WRCO role have been working for Birmingham waste collection services for more than 30 years and could lose up to £8,000 a year under the plans, Ms Graham claims.

Unite said: “Since the council effectively declared itself bankrupt last September, refuse staff represented by Unite have worked with management in good faith to ensure services continue to operate despite detrimental impacts to their pay and working conditions.

“This includes implementing route changes, accepting cuts to overtime and night-time allowances and working around problems caused by the council’s aging and breakdown prone fleet of bin lorries.”

The ballot for strike action opens this Friday (22 November) and closes on Wednesday 4 December.

Unite regional coordinating officer Frank Keogh said: “Birmingham council is deliberately playing fast and loose with the safety of workers and the general public.

“Birmingham’s refuse workers are done being scapegoats for a crisis created by politicians.

“They’ve already sacrificed plenty to keep services running while facing relentless attacks on their jobs. Axing the WRCO role is seen as just the first step in a broader attack on their pay, terms, and conditions.”

Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "The consultation period with our recognised unions has come to an end and a decision has been taken to proceed with the proposal to change to the new operating arrangements.

“Ensuring the safety of our employees and residents is taken extremely seriously, and health and safety is everyone’s responsibility.

"We are now undertaking the post consultation steps to ensure all Birmingham City Council colleagues affected by the change in working arrangements are supported. There are several options that are available to suit different personal circumstances, these include opting for voluntary redundancy, promotion or redeployment. We recognise that this is an unsettling time, and we have moved quickly, to minimise this period of uncertainty for everyone.

"We are committed to working with our colleagues across the service for the best outcome so that we deliver a consistent and reliable service that Birmingham residents deserve."