Major incident declared over bin strike as 17,000 tonnes of waste left to rot
Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Why 17,000 tonnes of rotting waste remains uncollected across this city
- Birmingham City Council has declared a major incident due to an ongoing bin strike, resulting in 17,000 tonnes of uncollected waste.
- The strike, by Unite union members, stems from a dispute over scrapped waste collection and recycling officer roles.
- The council has implemented a contingency plan, but picket lines blocking depots hinder waste collection efforts.
- The uncollected waste has led to health and fire risks, prompting the council to seek support from neighbouring authorities and the government.
- Despite what the council has called a "fair and reasonable" offer, negotiations with Unite have stalled, leaving residents to contend with mounting rubbish.