After over a year of industrial action, the end of Birmingham’s bin strike is finally “within sight.” Leader of the Labour Group, John Cotton, has announced (Monday, April 27, 2026) a negotiated settlement with Unite the Union to end the rubbish pile-up on our streets.
The strikes originally started on January 6, 2025, over proposed job changes, with rolling walk-outs across the city, before Birmingham’s union members began an all-out strike on March 11, 2025, over pay. There’s been no sign of an agreed deal since, but John has said new terms to address the “ballpark issues” are close.
John Cotton, the Leader of the Labour Party, said: “This has been a challenging and complex process, but after months of hard work, on the principles and parameters of a deal, I believe a new improved offer can be made and terms can be put in place that address the “ballpark issues” discussed at ACAS that Unite members can agree in order to end the strike once and for all.
“A deal that would be good for the workforce, represent good value for money and would not repeat the mistakes of the past and risk creating new structural equal pay liabilities. I want our workforce to be able to return to work and help us deliver the quality refuse and recycling services the people of this city deserve.”
While the full details remain confidential, there will now be a series of meetings to complete the offer before it is voted on by the bin workers. Unfortunately, no deal can be completed until after the council election, on May 7, with some opposition parties labelling the timing a “stunt” and accusing Labour of “political games”.
“If Labour had a lawful deal, they would already have put it to the council to agree months ago,” said Robert Alden, Birmingham’s Leader of the Conservative Party. While the Leader of the Green Party, Councillor Julien Pritchard, said: “Labour could have resolved this strike months ago, saving misery and millions of pounds.”
However, General Secretary of Unite the Union, Sharon Graham, welcomed the news: “The move made today by the leader of the council is a vindication of the bin workers’ struggle for a decent deal. Over the last few months, there have been intense negotiations to get the blocked “ballpark” deal back on the table, so that our members could vote on it.
“I salute the fortitude of my members who have needlessly been forced to endure months of attacks and hardship to get us to this point. I thank Mayor Richard Parker and Lord Brendan Barber for the important roles both have played in getting us to this point. And I thank the people of Birmingham for their continued patience and support.”
