A deep dive into Birmingham’s ongoing bin strike: why workers are refusing to back down, how council tax payers are affected, and what’s next as unions and the council return to the negotiating table.
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00:01You've seen the bin bags, overflowing streets, pop-up waste sites and a spike in rats.
00:06But this dispute isn't just about miscollections.
00:09At the heart of it is a pay row.
00:11Workers say they've lost thousands, with some rolls cut by up to £8,000 a year.
00:17The council claims its hands are tied by a financial recovery plan.
00:21But Unite say the latest offer, which arrived after the vote, falls short.
00:26And in the meantime, taxpayers are footing the bill for emergency clean-ups and security.
00:33This could affect people's sort of view of the city and affect tourism.
00:40And people might not want to come to the city because it's full of rubbish.
00:45So that could have a massive effect on the economy, yeah.
00:50I think it makes Bloomingham seem like a less attractive city.
00:54I think it could probably affect how many people actually want to visit.
00:59And I also think it kind of affects productivity in terms of people's schedule and how they get to work.
01:05So maybe it might affect economic activity in that way in terms of a lot less turnout on the workplace.
01:13Yeah.
01:13Yeah, I think it definitely has a sort of underlying or subconscious effect on people's, when you're living here, perception of quality of life.
01:26Behind closed doors, mediation talks have stalled.
01:30Unite claims the council's new offer came too late and doesn't restore key job roles.
01:35The council insists the offer is fair and urges the union to come back to the table.
01:40But with 97% voting for more strikes, it's clear the mood is still combative.
01:46Both sides accuse the other of dragging things out.
01:49And with each delay, more pressure lands on frontline services, local businesses and workers trying to stay afloat.
01:56I've heard the strokes, Mark 1, to Christmas, and I'm quite a big believer in people stroking for what's right, not being bullied into things about the government, you know, to take a massive pay cut.
02:10So if that's what they think they should be getting paid and they're trying to be bullied into getting a pay cut, I think they should carry on stroking if that's what they want to do.
02:17Hmm. I think maybe if there's a bit more open conversation with the council and a bit more understanding from them, the people in power on the needs of those in charge of sanitation within the city, maybe there could be some collaboration.
02:38Yeah, Marie?
02:40Yeah, I'm not too sure.
02:43But, um, it's, yeah, 97% you said, so, uh, I suppose it'll be difficult for them to change their mind without something significant changing from, from the council, so.