Birmingham Declares Major Incident as Bin Workers' Strike Escalates

With 17,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish and stalled negotiations, public health concerns grow in the UK's second-largest city.

Birmingham City Council declared a major incident on March 31 due to mounting waste and escalating public health risks from the ongoing bin workers' strike.
The indefinite strike, involving 400 Unite Union members, began on March 11 in response to the council's plan to eliminate the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role.
Go-slow protests and picket line disruptions have severely hindered waste collection, with only 17% of properties receiving weekly collections as of late March.
The strike has led to widespread rat infestations and hazardous waste levels, sparking divided public opinion over worker demands and the city's deteriorating conditions.
Negotiations between Unite Union and the council remain stalled, while the council has offered alternative roles to workers without pay cuts to address the dispute.