Extra bin strike days announced for Birmingham

Striking bin workers in Birmingham are adding extra strike days in February and March amid an ongoing dispute with the council, their union has said.

The workers began their walkouts last month - action linked, Unite said, to the city council's decision to "downgrade" some roles.

Unite said on Monday that workers would now strike on 12 days in February and 13 days in March, up from four days in each of those months as originally planned.

Birmingham City Council has been contacted for comment. It said previously it was disappointed the strikes were taking place and it would try to minimise disruption for residents.

The dispute centres on the council's decision to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) roles from some bin workers, Unite has said.

The union states this role brings safety expertise to an "often dirty and dangerous job", citing the example of the death of a Coventry bin worker last year.

It also says about 170 affected workers face losing an average of £8,000 a year due to the decision.

"Unite's door remains open to meaningful discussions with the council," Zoe Mayou, the union's regional officer for the West Midlands, said.

"It is the council that bears the responsibility for [the situation] escalating."

The union said workers would now strike on the following dates in February: 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26 and 27.

The dates in March were said to be: 3, 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 21, 25, 26, 28 and 31.

There are also strike days scheduled for 2 and 4 April.

The walkouts will affect anyone who has their waste collected by the council on the planned strike days.

Unite has also said that a ban on overtime, maintained since 2 January, could cause disruption on non-strike days.

Birmingham City Council has previously said it took the safety of employees and residents seriously, and it was supporting workers affected by the changes to roles.

"There are several options that are available to suit different personal circumstances, and, of the 170 affected employees, over 130 have already opted for redeployment, driver training, or voluntary redundancy," it said.

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