All bin collections across Birmingham have been brought to a complete halt after agency workers, hired to maintain services during a long-running strike, staged their own walk-out. The unprecedented move has escalated the industrial dispute, leading to widespread disruption for residents.
Strike Escalates with Unprecedented Agency Worker Action
The suspension of services was announced on Monday 1 December 2025 following mass pickets and protests at waste depots, including a major demonstration of around 200 people at the Smithfield depot near the city centre. The core of the escalation lies with the agency staff, who were initially brought in by the council to keep collections running during the strike by regular workers.
Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab stated that approximately 40 agency workers had joined the action, citing health and safety concerns among other issues. He described the situation as unprecedented, noting that agency workers brought in to break a strike rarely end up balloting and walking out themselves. “What we have got is the dispute actually escalating – more and more people joining the strike,” he said.
Allegations of Bullying and Council's Response
Unite has made serious claims against Birmingham City Council, alleging bullying, harassment, and the threat of blacklisting within the refuse department. Mr Kasab asserted that video evidence of a “blacklisting threat” had been supplied to the local authority.
In a firm rebuttal, Birmingham City Council has labelled the bullying allegations as “unfounded”. The council confirmed it launched an immediate investigation which has now concluded, finding no evidence that blacklisting has taken place. The authority maintains it does not condone actions contrary to good employment practice.
The council acknowledged that a small number of agency staff are in a separate dispute with their employer, the Job & Talent agency, which holds the contract to support waste operations.
Political Solidarity and Impact on Services
The picket lines have drawn political support, with Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South, joining the protests. Speaking at the Smithfield depot, she expressed solidarity with the workers, framing the dispute as an attack on those who keep the city clean and criticising proposed pay cuts during a cost-of-living crisis.
In a statement on social media, the council apologised for the inconvenience and suspended all collections for Monday. They aim to resume services the following day and complete all missed collections by Sunday. The council emphasised that its contingency plan had been working, claiming it had collected an average of 1,330 tonnes of kerbside waste daily during the industrial action, and over 100,000 tonnes in the last six months.
Despite the suspension, the council reiterated its commitment to maintaining a minimum of one weekly collection for residents and progressing with long-overdue service improvements. Meanwhile, Unite's leadership has vowed to stand by its members for as long as it takes to reach a resolution, calling for renewed negotiations to end the escalating dispute.
