Bin workers in Birmingham have decided to continue their strike after rejecting the latest offer from the city council.
The offer, made in an effort to end the ongoing dispute, was turned down by a large majority of Unite union members.
The strike has now lasted a month, and the impact on the city is becoming clear. Streets across Birmingham have been left cluttered with overflowing bins and fly-tipped waste. The situation has sparked frustration among residents, who are dealing with the consequences of missed collections and growing rubbish piles.
The dispute centres around proposed changes that could lead to significant pay cuts for around 200 bin lorry drivers. The council put forward what it called a partial solution, but Unite dismissed the offer, saying it failed to properly deal with the key issues. According to the union, the cuts are too steep and would seriously affect the workers’ ability to manage financially.
The workers, backed by Unite, are standing firm, saying they will not accept being penalised for what they believe are mistakes made by the council. Talks between both sides have so far failed to find common ground, and with the latest rejection, the strike shows no signs of ending soon.
Residents are being urged to continue storing their waste as best they can, while local officials say they are working to find a resolution. But with tensions high and no deal in place, the disruption is likely to continue.