Sanitation Workers' Strike in Birmingham Leads to 'Major Incident' Declaration
City Council and Union Clash as Garbage Piles Up on Streets
Social Media Flooded with Images of Trash-Covered Roads
A garbage crisis has erupted in Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK, with tens of thousands of tons of trash left unattended. The situation is due to a strike by sanitation workers, prompting the Birmingham City Council to declare a 'major incident.'
According to a recent CNN report, John Cotton, chairman of the Birmingham City Council, stated in a press release, "It is regrettable to take such measures," but added, "We cannot tolerate a situation that causes harm and suffering to communities across Birmingham."
The report indicates that the conflict between the city and sanitation workers began in December 2024 when cleaners affiliated with the UK and Ireland union 'Unite the Union' protested against cuts to overtime pay, bans on overtime work, and the city council's plan to abolish its role in garbage collection. At that time, the union warned of a strike in 2025.
In response, the city announced in March, "Alternative employment with equal pay for all workers, driver training, and voluntary resignation were proposed," emphasizing, "We must address years of poor performance and improve waste collection services for the benefit of everyone."
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite the Union, criticized, "Although this is a dispute that could be easily resolved, the Birmingham City Council seems intent on implementing demotion and pay cut plans at any cost," adding, "They appear unconcerned even if the cost of fairly resolving the strike is much higher."
As the dispute over the strike escalated, the city hired temporary workers to clear garbage across Birmingham. In response, the union began expanding the scale of the strike.
Meanwhile, the city council declared a 'major incident,' stating that the union was blocking the depot with picket lines, making it difficult to dispatch garbage collection vehicles. The council explained that this declaration allows them to bypass picket lines and clean the streets. However, sanitation workers opposed the council's declaration, calling it 'strikebreaking.'
As the garbage crisis intensified, images of Birmingham streets piled with trash have been shared on social media. One user posting photos of Birmingham streets lamented, "Human waste has been left to rot inside black garbage bags for four weeks." Another user complained about "rats swarming and trash scattered everywhere," expressing distress over the garbage situation.
Meanwhile, the UK government has stated that it is monitoring the situation. According to UK PA Media, Jim McMahon, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said in a parliamentary speech, "If Birmingham's leaders request national support to resolve this issue, we are certainly ready to respond."
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