Gerry Georgieva and Anthony Reuben from BBC Verify reported on the ongoing strike by bin workers in Birmingham, resulting in heaps of trash accumulating throughout the city. The main cause of the dispute stems from the elimination of the Waste Recycling and Collection Officers (WRCO) role, a position that received higher pay compared to other bin workers.
When it comes to the earnings of regular bin workers, the Office for National Statistics reveals that those categorized under “refuse and salvage occupations” earned an average of £26,543 in 2024. The National Careers Service states that the pay range for a bin worker typically falls between £24,000 and £30,000 per year. Birmingham City Council noted that loaders, the least experienced workers on a bin lorry, earned £24,027 to £25,992 annually.
Drivers, classified separately as heavy and large goods vehicle drivers, earned an average of £38,337 according to the ONS figures. In Birmingham, their earnings range from £33,366 to £40,476. The elimination of the WRCO role would see bin lorry crews reduced to three workers from the current four. The council emphasizes the removal of the WRCOs due to concerns about equal pay claims and gender disparities in refuse collection roles.
Amidst conflicting claims about potential pay cuts, Unite suggests that some workers could face reductions of up to £8,000. However, Birmingham City Council refutes this figure, estimating a maximum loss of just over £6,000. The union’s calculation is based on a scenario where a WRCO transitions to a loader role, resulting in a significant pay decrease. The consultations regarding the proposed redundancies affecting up to 72 refuse staff began on 3 April. Additionally, the council employs a significant number of agency workers, with 493 individuals in this position as of the end of 2024.
Overall, the ongoing dispute highlights the complexities of pay discrepancies among various roles within the waste collection industry. The potential impact of job eliminations and pay cuts on bin workers in Birmingham raises concerns about fairness and equality in the workplace. As negotiations continue between the striking workers and Birmingham City Council, the fate of these employees remains uncertain in the face of proposed changes to their roles and compensation
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