Union criticizes 'absurd' plan to collect fortnightly

The Unite union has sharply criticized Birmingham City Councils plan to switch to fortnightly bin collections, calling the proposal ridiculous amid ongoing industrial action that has lasted nine months.

The council aims to transition from weekly to fortnightly waste pickups, while also reinstating recycling services and introducing weekly food waste collections. Unite, supporting striking staff, insists the council should prioritize resolving disputes over pay and job security instead of pushing ahead with operational changes.

A council spokesperson stated: We want to resolve this dispute, but we also need to move forward with improving the service.

Strike action has left residents without recycling collection since the beginning of the year. Onay Kasab, Unites national lead officer, emphasized: The council should be focused on settling the dispute so its workforce can provide a full waste service. Planning to hire temporary staff wastes even more money.

The proposed service adjustments include providing a second 180-litre recycling bin for households, pending cabinet approval on 9 December. From 1 April, all English local authorities must collect food waste unless granted an exemption by the government. Defra has allocated 300 million to support councils with weekly food collections.

A Defra spokesperson added: Authorities have flexibility in how they implement these reforms but are expected to meet statutory obligations wherever possible.

Strike Map, a trade union activist group, launched a petition on Tuesday calling for an end to the bin strike, which has gained support from 115 Labour MPs and councillors nationwide.

Birmingham City Council responded: This service needs to be transformed for residents, and delays are not an option. We have been reasonable and flexible, but Unite has rejected our offers. Our contingency plan is working, and household waste collection continues as scheduled.

The industrial action began after the council decided to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer roles. The union initially claimed 170 staff members could lose up to 8,000 annually, though the council disputed this, stating only 17 employees might lose just over 6,000, with six months of pay protection.

Author: Noah Whitman