Plans to introduce fortnightly bin collections in Birmingham could be delayed due to ongoing strike action. The city council says industrial action is disrupting essential changes to waste services, but the union behind the strike argues workers' safety is at risk. With no resolution in sight, residents could face further disruption.
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00:00Birmingham City Council says changes to bin collections are crucial to its recovery plan.
00:08The aim is to cut costs while improving services, with separate collections for food waste and
00:13piper recycling.
00:14But with strike action still ongoing, questions are being raised about whether the plan can
00:19go ahead on schedule.
00:21The city's waste collection workers, backed by Unite the union, walked out over plans
00:26to scrap a key role in the service.
00:28The union argues the position is essential for safety, while the council insists it's
00:33no longer needed.
00:35With negotiations at a standstill, the strike has caused disruption across the city.
00:40Rubbish is piling up on the streets and with no resolution in sight, residents could face
00:45more delays in bin collections.
00:47Craig Cooper, the council's head of city operations, says the strikes are being driven
00:52by a small group of workers.
00:54He claims the council has made a fair offer and alternative roles have been proposed for
00:58those affected.
00:59Unite, however, says the strike isn't about causing disruption, but protecting workers
01:05and public safety.
01:06They say many of their members are also Birmingham residents, fearing the impact first hand.
01:11Meanwhile, the council continues to face wider financial struggles, with auditors blaming
01:16years of mismanagement and budget pressures.
01:19Libra councillors also pointed to a decade of funding cuts.
01:23If the dispute isn't resolved soon, bin services could be stretched even further, with warmer
01:28months approaching, concerns over hygiene and waste build-up are growing.
01:33For now, bin collection services remain uncertain.
01:36If the strike continues, plans for fortnightly collections could be pushed back, leaving
01:40Birmingham residents in limbo.