Birmingham Bin Strike: What's Going On?

Birmingham is in the grip of a worsening waste collection crisis, with a reported 17,000 tonnes of rubbish piling up as bin workers continue strike action that began in January 2025.

What’s the Dispute About?

Birmingham City Council effectively declared financial distress in 2023, largely due to a substantial equal-pay settlement. The dispute centres on the council’s plan to scrap the higher-paid Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role—an attempt to manage its financial liabilities.

• Unite the Union warns that affected staff could lose up to £8,000 per year.
• The council counters that only a handful of workers would see a maximum reduction of just over £6,000, with six months’ pay protection offered.

What’s the Impact?

• Rubbish is piling up across the city.
• Rats and sanitation concerns are growing.
• The council has declared a major incident.
• West Midlands Fire Service has issued safety warnings.

Current Waste Measures Reported

• Five household recycling centres and two mobile centres involved (potentially only two operating).
• Ninety vehicles active daily (down from the usual 200), handling fewer collections.
• Picket lines have slowed depot operations, though police are managing the situation.

When Will It End?

There’s no confirmed end date. Talks are ongoing, and with no breakthrough yet, the strike could continue into summer 2025.

Understanding the Background and History of Waste Collection

A look at past refuse strikes and the evolution of organised waste disposal provides perspective on Birmingham’s current situation.

Bin Men Strikes in the UK (1970s–1980s)

Refuse collectors—commonly known as bin men—staged a series of strikes driven by demands for better pay and improved working conditions. These actions reflected broader public sector unrest.

• 1969 Hackney Strike: Dustmen in Hackney, London, protested for higher basic wages. Residents even attempted to burn their own waste.
• 1970 London Strike: Lasted about seven weeks. Bin men demanded a 55% pay increase, and the military was deployed to assist with waste clearance.
• Glasgow Cleansing Workers Strikes: Similar demands for fair wages and better conditions emphasised widespread dissatisfaction.

Wider Context and Outcomes

• Impact on Public Services: Uncollected waste led to unsanitary conditions and potential disease outbreaks.
• Government Response: Troops were occasionally called in to maintain sanitation and public order.
• “Winter of Discontent” (1978–79): Part of broader industrial unrest, highlighting inflation, stagnant wages, and austerity measures.
• Long-term, these strikes influenced debates on union power and public service reform under subsequent governments.

A Brief History of Waste Management

Organised waste disposal is a relatively recent development. Here’s how it evolved from ancient practices to modern systems:

Ancient Beginnings

• 6500 BC: Ancient Syria develops basic wastewater systems.
• 3000 BC: Knossos, Crete, uses earth-covered pits as landfills.
• Classical Athens enforces laws to dump waste a mile outside city limits.
• The Mayans hold monthly communal burnings—an early form of incineration.

Medieval to Early Modern Times

• 1297: Britain mandates that households keep their streets clean.
• Mid-14th century: “Muckrakers” are employed to cart waste away, a precursor to modern bin collections.
• Late 1700s (Industrial Revolution): “Dust-yards” recycle coal ash, and rag-and-bone men collect materials for resale.

The Rise of Modern Systems

• Mid-18th century: London grapples with rapid urban growth; waste is barged along the Thames for disposal.
• 19th century: Reformers like Edwin Chadwick influence the 1848 Public Health Act; by 1875, moveable receptacles—the first modern dustbins—are introduced.
• Incinerators (“destructors”) appear in towns, sparking debates over air pollution.

Towards Sustainability

• 1956 Clean Air Act reduces home burning, increasing landfill use.
• 1996’s Making Waste Work plan aims for 25% household recycling by 2000.
• Today, recycling is widespread, and many products are made from reused materials.