Clare Keogh, national officer for local government at Unite, told The i Paper that members were angry at how the dispute in the Midlands city is playing out and that there is “massive potential this will escalate”.
The authority has declared a major incident with at least 17,000 tonnes of rubbish lying uncollected on the streets.
At least 17,000 tonnes of rubbish has gone uncollected in rubbish due to the strike by refuse workers (Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire)Now there are warnings that bin strikes could flare up in other areas. Another strike involving Unite refuse workers, which has led to recycling sites being closed, continues in Sheffield and Ms Keogh said more ballots for strike action in other areas were currently being considered.
“In Birmingham, and many other councils we’ve seen over the last few years, our members have been prepared to walk out saying ‘this just isn’t good enough and we’re not going to take any more cuts’,” Ms Keogh said.
M ore ballots for strike action in other areas were currently being considered (Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)“That anger is growing and we’re seeing that in the increasing number of strike ballots that we’re taking forward.
Downing Street intervention
On Friday No 10 intervened to call on the union to end the Birmingham strike. A spokesperson said: “Unite need to focus on negotiating in good faith, drop their opposition to changes needed to resolve long-standing equal pay issues, and get round the table with the council.”
Local authorities’ deteriorating financial situations is likely to increase the chances of more bin collection strikes.
Nearly half of all councils could also fall into bankruptcy by next year, according to the National Audit Office, after years of underfunding and escalating costs.
“Our members across the country are facing the very same issues and that’s the point,” said Ms Keogh. “Yes our members are very angry about the situation is being handled in Birmingham, but they are looking at their own workplaces and seeing the same problems there
“I think that’s why you will see potentially additional ballots and additional strike action.”
‘Real-terms’ pay cuts could spark strikes
Ms Keogh said if members were offered a “real-terms pay cut” there is a “high likelihood” of further ballots for strike action.
“We’ve had 15 years of austerity, the sector is on its knees, we’ve had little pockets of support since the new Government came in.
‘Money has to be spent’
“We’re not going to have these public services that we need unless we’re honest and accept that money has to be spent.
GMB held 100 days of refuse worker strikes during 2022, winning large pay increases at dozens of councils.
A spokesperson for the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The waste dispute in Birmingham is causing misery and disruption to residents which is why we are pressing for an immediate agreement to be made, and for all parties to redouble efforts to get around the table.
“At the same time, we are making available £69 billion to council budgets across England, reforming the funding system and bringing forward the first multi-year funding settlement in a decade.”
He said: “Residents want this rubbish dealt with as soon as possible and I have made it clear in today’s meeting that we’re ready to support to improve conditions on the ground.
“It is in the interest of all parties, and most importantly Birmingham’s residents, that this strike must be brought to a close with all parties redoubling efforts to get around the table and to find a resolution.” ”
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