Birmingham bin strikes: Will there be a council tax refund if bins aren't collected? - Full council statement

Workers, who are members of Unite, began strike action in January over the scrapping of a waste recycling and collection officer role, which the union described as “safety-critical”.

Following weeks of disruption, plans for an all-out strike were announced yesterday, February 26, sparking further dismay among Brummies and anger towards Labour-run Birmingham City Council.

Strike dates

Unite the Union has announced that there will be an increase in strike dates. See the full list of dates:

• Tuesday 4 March 2025
• Thursday 6 March 2025
• Monday 10 March 2025
• Wednesday 12 March 2025
• Friday 14 March 2025
• Monday 17 March 2025
• Tuesday 18 March 2025
• Friday 21 March 2025
• Wednesday 26 March 2025
• Friday 28 March 2025
• Monday 31 March 2025
• Wednesday 2 April 2025
• Friday 4 April 2025

The refuse crews will also work to rule on other days and will not work any overtime. This may also cause further disruption to bin collection services.

What to do on bin strike days - city council advice

Recycling collections are suspended every day during industrial action so do not put your recycling bin (blue lid) out for collection.

Could the strikes result in Council Tax changes?

You cannot get a council tax reduction due to bin strikes.

In a statement, Birmingham City Council has reminded residents that paying council tax is a “legal responsibility” to pay council tax and urged people to continue doing do.

“The current situation is the result of industrial action taken by Unite the union, not due to the council’s actions,” it argued. “Council tax is collected to fund council services generally.”

Council tax rose by just under 10 per cent last year and is set to rise by around 7.5 per cent this year.