Unions form 'megapicket' at bin strike depot

A "megapicket" was taking place at a Birmingham refuse depot after members of other unions travelled from across the country to show their support for the city's striking bin workers.

Refuse workers belonging to Unite began an all-out strike on 11 March due to a dispute with the city council over proposed changes to roles and resulting pay cuts.

Hundreds of union members, who travelled on coaches from as far as Bristol and Leeds, arrived at the Lifford Lane depot in Kings Norton to stand in solidarity.

A city council spokesperson told the BBC that it "remain committed to delivering a fair and sustainable deal for drivers and collectors".

The "megapicket" was organised by Strike Map, a group of trade union activists who created a digital map to demonstrate where industrial action is taking place.

Henry Fowler, from the group, co-ordinated Friday's protest and said it was a "fantastic turnout" with workers from a number of unions, including the train drivers' union Aslef and the Fire Brigades Union, turning up.

A spokesperson for Unite said that the large gathering of multiple trade unions was a "demonstration" and not an official picket line.

Also in the crowd was a giant inflatable rat, no doubt to symbolise reports that rodents "as big as cats" had been running around some residential areas.

The authority announced on social media that the action meant the depot was closed on Friday and it aimed for planned collections to be carried out on Saturday or as soon as possible.

The depot serves several areas of the city, including Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Kings Heath and Bartley Green.

The council said on Friday that it was aware of the planned protest and it had "revised operational deployment plans" as a result.

Derek Roberts, a bin lorry driver who has worked for the service for more than 30 years, said he was " humbled and very grateful" to see the number of people who had decided to join forces with his fellow Unite members.

"Knowing they've had to get up first thing in the morning and travel to support us has been fantastic," he said.

Mr Roberts said he initially joined the strike in support of his colleagues who were at risk of an £8,000 pay cut.

But he later heard his own income, near the top of his pay band, could also be cut in "one swoop" after the union said drivers' pay grades could also be at risk.

Another refuse worker from the city, Adrian Hyde, said he was "extremely angry" that the strikes were still ongoing.

"This could have been sorted weeks ago, it shouldn't have even come to this," he added.

"If they're bankrupt, don't take it out on the workers, we didn't cause this problem. [The council] have caused this by years of mismanagement at the top."

When asked whether she was anticipating that action would continue into the summer, Unite's regional officer, Zoe Mayou, said: "If that's what we need to do unfortunately - that's unfortunate for our members and residents.

"It's down to the council to come with a proper offer and be open, honest and transparent.

"We don't want to be out here any longer than we have to be."

The city council spokesperson said "negotiations are continuing" and previously told the BBC its job evaluation process was "fair and transparent".

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.