Birmingham’s bin strike enters its ninth week, with union action, stalled talks, and waste piling up. Critics say services aren’t recovering, despite council claims. This report covers the growing pressure on both sides of the dispute.
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00:00The streets of Birmingham are still feeling the effects of the long-running bin strike now stretching into its ninth week.
00:08At the centre of the row is a council plan to scrap a key waste management role.
00:14You know it says the change would lead to pie cuts of thousands for dozens of staff.
00:19The council insists the number affected is small and that alternative roles or redundancy packages have been offered.
00:25The issue has sparked a wider standoff with a so-called mega-pigot blocking activity at the Lifford Line Depot.
00:33It brought together members of multiple unions.
00:35The strikes have become a flashpoint not just for bin workers but for broader discontent over jobs and pie in the public sector.
00:44Refused workers say they're being asked to do more for less while dealing with the rising living costs and reduced job security.
00:51The council argues that daily collection volumes have increased despite a reduced team and insists this proves the current service model is outdated and inefficient.
01:02Meanwhile the impact on residents is increasingly clear.
01:05Areas like Sparkhill and Ladywood have reported infestations, overflowing bins and rising levels of fly tipping.
01:11More affluent neighbourhoods seem to have escaped the worst, rising uncomfortable questions about fairness and priorities in how the crisis is being handled.
01:22The dispute has reignited wider concerns about inequality in local services and accountability from those in power.
01:29There's frustration across communities but not much confidence that anyone's listening.
01:34Talks between Unite and the council are ongoing but for now the stalemate continues and the rubbish continues to rise.