Residents in Birmingham are bracing for a fresh wave of disruption to their bin collections as industrial action is set to spill over into the new year.
New Year Disruption Planned
Protesters have announced plans for a third major demonstration, dubbed a "megapicket," on January 30, 2026. The action is scheduled to begin at 6 am and will once again target all five depot sites serving both Birmingham and Coventry.
This follows similar large-scale protests held in May and July of this year, which successfully caused significant operational shutdowns. The event is being organised by the group Strike Map, which aims to draw supporters and union members from across the country to join the picket lines in a show of solidarity.
Roots of the Dispute
The long-running strike centres on two core issues. The primary trigger was the council's decision to remove the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role. Alongside this, workers have long-standing grievances concerning pay equity.
Birmingham City Council, which is Labour-run, maintains that it has presented a "fair and reasonable" offer to resolve the conflict. However, the Unite the union has rejected all proposals put forward so far.
The council has issued stark warnings, stating that meeting Unite's demands could precipitate another "equal pay bill of hundreds of millions of pounds." They argue that such a cost is unacceptable and that continuing the strikes threatens both the authority's fragile financial recovery and crucial improvements needed for the waste service.
Impact and Solidarity
Previous strike action has left a visible mark on the city, with residents contending with overflowing bins and piles of uncollected rubbish. The planned January protest signals that this unsightly and unhygienic problem is likely to return.
The demonstrations have garnered notable political support. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed the second megapicket in July, using the platform to urge the local authority to settle the dispute with the workers.
With both sides entrenched in their positions, the prospect of a swift resolution appears dim. The planned action for January 30 ensures that the dispute over bin collections will be one of the first major civic challenges Birmingham faces in 2026.
