Council defends its record as bin strike gets worse

AGENCY WORKERS ABOUT TO JOIN PICKET LINES

- JORDAN COUSSINS

BIRMINGHAM City Council has gone on the offensive - pointing out its improving figures on bin collections in the face of lengthening strikes.

Bin strikes in Birmingham could continue past the local elections in May unless a resolution is reached, according to Unite the union. The announcement comes after workers voted overwhelmingly to extend their strike action.

Birmingham City Council's directly employed workers will now be joined on the picket lines by agency workers from Job & Talent, who are contracted for refuse work, the union announced on Monday.

However, the council took the opportunity to point out its recent record on the bins.

While recycling and green waste are still not being picked up in the city, the authority says tonnes of waste is - and more efficiently.