Bin strike deal could go to cabinet within weeks, says council leader

A deal to end Birmingham's long-running bin strike could go to the city council's cabinet in late September or early October, the council leader has said.

The industrial action, over a dispute between the council and the Unite union, began in January 2025 and at its height left streets across the city piled with rubbish.

"Positive progress"

Councillor Roger Harmer, the Liberal Democrat leader of the council, which is now run by a coalition including the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party, said positive progress had been made in talks with Unite.

Speaking to BBC Radio WM, he explained that a deal first has to be arranged and go through various checks, then be approved by the cabinet and by Unite's members. "The way the timeline looks, we are looking at going to cabinet in late September-early October," he said.

Warning over past deals

At a full council meeting on 15 September, Conservative group leader Councillor Robert Alden pointed out that no details of a possible deal had been made public. He argued that deals to settle previous bin strikes had led to further instability for the council years later, and asked for a commitment that any agreement would not create new equal pay or sex discrimination liabilities.

"I do share the frustrations that so many people have with the length of time it is taking to bring an end to the bins strike," Councillor Harmer replied.

He said the cabinet would be presented with a series of options, each with its own risks, and that every option would be assessed by council officers and by the district auditor to make sure the final solution is sustainable. The council would follow the advice of its Section 151 officer, its most senior finance officer, and of the auditor, he added.