Overview

• An indefinite walkout that began in January over proposed pay cuts of up to £8,000 has entered its sixth month, involving roughly 400 bin lorry drivers and recycling officers.
• Following a council injunction, Birmingham City Council has deployed its full waste fleet and activated a contingency plan, supplemented by community volunteers working to clear the backlog.
• Mounting rubbish piles have drawn reports of giant rat infestations dubbed “Squeaky Blinders,” with residents warning of foul odours and rising health risks.
• Acas-mediated talks between Unite and the council remain stalled, with no fresh proposals emerging to break the deadlock.
• Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has vowed to stay relentless in pursuit of a fair deal as members hold a strike mandate through December.