Workers in Birmingham are being balloted to extend strike action
The ballot would extend their industrial action mandate into the summer months.
Industrial action by more than 350 Birmingham refuse workers will escalate into an indefinite all out strike from Tuesday 11 March.
Unite, the UK’s leading union, announced that the workers are also being balloted to extend strike action through the spring and summer. The ballot is over the council’s use of temporary labour to undermine the industrial action.
The workers began strike action in January over the scrapping of waste collection and recycling officer role, which resulted in pay cuts of up to £8,000 for 150 workers. The workforce is fearful that further attacks to jobs and wages will follow, including the blocking of a fair path for future pay progression.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The use of employment agencies to try and break the strike is disgraceful, especially by a Labour council. But let me be clear – our members will not back down from the brutal attacks launched on them and neither will Unite.
“Our members undertake a vital frontline role in keeping Birmingham clean, it is totally unacceptable that their pay has been slashed and they have been left fearful of further attacks on their jobs, pay and conditions. Unite is giving our members its steadfast support throughout this dispute.”
The workers are taking strike action on 26 and 27 February and 3, 4, 6 and 10 March and will begin indefinite strike action on 11 March.
Unite has warned Birmingham council and its employment agency Job&Talent that it is unlawful to provide labour to replace striking workers. The union is calling on Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, which is part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to take action and stamp out illegality.
The new industrial action ballot closes on 10 March. The ballot would extend their industrial action mandate into the summer months.
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