Agency staff to join Birmingham bin strike after alleged bullying

Agency staff who were brought in to cover for striking refuse collectors in Birmingham will join the picket line for the first time over claims of bullying and harassment.

- Neha Gohil Midlands correspondent

Hundreds of Birmingham city council bin workers have been on strike in a dispute over pay and jobs since March, prompting the authority to declare a “major incident”.

The strike attracted global attention, with images showing streets piled with black bags and of long queues at waste collection points.

Unite, the strikers' trade union, said strikes could last until May after 99.5% of workers backed further strike action on a 75% turnout.