Birmingham’s ongoing rubbish crisis, exacerbated by a month-long strike by refuse workers from Unite union, has prompted the involvement of military planners to help address the mounting waste on the city’s streets. The strike, which began on March 11 over pay disputes, has resulted in thousands of tonnes of uncollected rubbish, prompting the city council to declare a major incident.
In response to the escalating situation, Birmingham City Council had previously sought assistance from neighboring authorities, and now the government has decided to enlist the help of the Army to deal with the crisis. While soldiers will not be tasked with collecting rubbish, a small number of office-based planners will provide logistical support for a limited period.
A government spokesperson emphasized the need to swiftly address the public health risks associated with the uncollected waste, highlighting the deployment of additional staff to assist the council. In addition to providing operational planning expertise, military personnel will further support Birmingham City Council in managing the situation.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner recently urged the striking bin workers to consider a new deal in order to bring an end to the dispute. She noted that the council had made a significantly improved offer and had made efforts to meet the workers’ demands. However, Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed deal, stating that it only offered partial pay protection to a few workers, leaving the decision in the hands of the striking bin workers. The Labour-run city council had declared a major incident at the end of March, citing an estimated 17,000 tonnes of rubbish accumulated in Birmingham during the first four weeks of the strike
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