350 UNITE members will take the first of a dozen one day strikes this week in a dispute with Birmingham City Council over pay cuts of around £8,000.
The strikes follow the start of an overtime ban and work to rule that commenced on 2 January 2025 following the breakdown of talks with the Council.
The Council is axing the roles of 150 Refuse Workers who are responsible for health and safety during vehicle operations. UNITE point out this is a critical role as demonstrated by the tragic death of Coventry refuse worker David Carpenter in January 2023 who was crushed in a lorry compactor.
Labour run Birmingham City Council is engaged in a huge cuts programme, £150 million this financial year and more than £150 million in the next financial year. Whilst hundreds of voluntary redundancies have taken place and essential services have been cut, this is the first serious attack on the pay and conditions of employees.
We offer solidarity to UNITE members as no group of workers should have pay cuts when we are not responsible for the Council’s financial position.
UNISON has also lodged an official dispute and will be attending a resolution meeting this week.