City bin collections halted after agency workers join strike

BIRMINGHAM'S bin collection service was suspended across the city yesterday after agency staff backed industrial action.

- BEN PERRIN & HARRY LEACH

Strikers marched to Victoria Square for a protest rally yesterday

Bin workers employed by Job & Talent agency, who have been cleaning Birmingham's streets during the city's long-running strike, joined the picket line at three depots.

Their decision to down tools meant there were no waste collections across the city.

The agency workers rallied with striking refuse collectors directly employed by Birmingham City Council outside the Smithfield Depot on Sherlock Street, the Atlas bin depot in Tyseley and Perry Barr's on Holford Drive.

Workers then marched towards the Council House in Victoria Square.

Job & Talent said in a message sent out to staff yesterday: "The Birmingham City Council collection service is to be suspended on Monday, December 1.

"Please note you will receive your usual pay for this day. Anyone that has pre-booked annual leave will be eligible to receive the day back.

"You are to attend your usual place of work on Tuesday at your usual time."

The council confirmed that waste collections were suspended. It told residents on X: "Due to expected mass pickets and protests across our waste depots we have taken the decision to suspend collections today [Monday].

"We apologise for the inconvenience. Collections will resume tomorrow [Tuesday]. We aim to complete all collections by Sunday. Please leave your bin out as normal."

Unite, the union representing striking staff, claimed the number of agency workers joining the industrial action was 'growing daily.'