Overview
- Unite members began strike action on January 6 last year and have been on all-out strike since March over the loss of the WRCO role and alleged fire‑and‑rehire pay cuts of up to £8,000.
- Birmingham City Council confirms a June 2026 transformation that moves general waste to fortnightly, adds weekly food waste collections and introduces a second recycling bin, with full recycling set to return under that plan.
- Contingency collections continue using agency workers, though some of those agency staff have also taken strike action.
- The council reports a 52% reduction in missed collections and a 22% increase in tonnage per employee under contingency plans and says it has repeatedly invited Unite to table a proposal.
- Residents face suspended kerbside recycling, a reported fall in recycling rates from 23% to 15%, expanded tip access and mobile sites, and political pressure has grown with local Conservatives urging renewed talks.