Overview
- Recycling has been largely uncollected since at least January last year, with only intermittent general waste pick‑ups carried out by agency crews.
- Residents in areas such as Selly Oak and Small Heath report overflowing bins, fly‑tipping and large rats, with some saying the conditions stop family visits.
- Unite argues scrapping the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer role would cut pay by about £8,000, while the council disputes the figure and says a fair offer was made.
- Unite has cut its affiliation fee to Labour, a move the union says will cost the party £580,000 a year, as the dispute looms over May’s local elections.
- Council environment lead Majid Mahmood urges staff to return and says service improvements are underway, while strikers vow to stay out until a reasonable offer appears.