Birmingham bin strikes laid bare as refuse collectors to lose up to £8,000 each year

in could lose £8,000 each year in pay - a fifth of their salary - if a council's evaluation exercise proposal goes through.

amid the dispute, leaving mountains of rubbish piling up on streets across the city. Unite, the union representing the workers, yesterday blasted the pay cuts, accusing Birmingham City Council of "playing games".

But the council had said no worker "need lose pay" soon after the industrial action started. Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: "Today’s announcement makes it clear the council have been playing games. It has had no intention of resolving this dispute and protecting workers, this is all about cutting workers’ pay and plunging them into financial misery."

The role of Waste Recycling and Collection Officer, a Grade 3 role held by 170 staff at the council, was axed in January. Now, under the council’s plans the pay rate of drivers will reduce from £40,000 to £32,000, a pay cut of £8,000, Unite has said.

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The council, a Labour stronghold, says the review is "a fair and transparent job evaluation process". However, the dispute has escalated and Unite now believes the council - declared bankrupt in 2023 - wants to use any money recovered by the changes to pay off their debt to the government.

"Today’s actions show clearly that Unite has been correct all along. Birmingham City Council is taking money off workers to pay off their debt to the government. Workers are again paying the price for bad decision after bad decision," Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.

"Unite will not stand by and allow the council and this Labour government to inflict these savage pay cuts on workers. It is completely unjustified and a clear escalation of the dispute. It will not be accepted. No worker should be expected to lose these eye-watering amounts of money from their pay packet.

"The government has protected a Labour council that has been treating workers in this outrageous way. It is no wonder Labour is increasingly not seen as the party of workers. They should hang their heads in shame."

The stalemate continues, just as it emerged families in will likely face and mental health challenges due to the chaos. A risk assessment provided to local authority bosses shows the elderly, disabled people and babies are "particularly susceptible" to the health harms of the walkouts.

The nine-page assessment of the hazards facing residents reads: "Residents of Birmingham are impacted by the disruption to their usual refuse collection; however, some collections are still taking place.

"Additionally, those who live in areas of deprivation, or those who are immunocompromised, infants, elderly, or disabled may be particularly susceptible to adverse health impacts of the strike."

In response to the latest criticism, a council spokesperson said yesterday: “This fair and transparent job evaluation process, jointly agreed with trade unions, is necessary to ensure the council complies with equal pay laws. Today was the final workshop on the driver team leader’s role involving all Trade Unions.

"It is part of an ongoing process of quality assurance and moderation, and this an indicative grade which is subject to further collective consultation. We remain committed to delivering a fair and sustainable deal for drivers and collectors and we will continue those discussions with Unite at scheduled talks later this week.”