SOLIDARITY WITH BIRMINGHAM BIN STRIKERS

Feb 2026 – Instead of getting back around the negotiating table with Unite, Birmingham Council has taken out yet another injunction. The new legal action targets sympathy action, naming Strike Map and other groups, and cites fears of “megapickets.” This comes on top of an existing injunction against Unite, which already bans pickets from obstructing depot entrances or council vehicles. The warning is stark. Anyone found in breach faces up to two years in prison, unlimited fines, or seizure of their assets.

But here is the real message the council does not want you to hear: Solidarity works. That is why the council is desperately running to the courts instead of running the services. It is time to stop wasting public money on expensive lawyers. Get back to negotiations and end this strike.

Friday 30th January 2026 from 6am Megapicket 3 closed all five sites. Wolverhampton TUC joined the strikers at Perry Barr Depot

1 year+ The indefinite industrial action by 350 UNITE members officially started on 11 March 2025, but collectors have been striking on-and-off since January 2025. Agency workers from Job and Talent have also joined the strike since 1st December.

daily pickets from 6am at:

Atlas Depot, 70/72 Kings Road, Tyseley, Birmingham, B11 2AS

Lifford Lane Depot, Ebury Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B30 3JJ

Perry Barr Depot, Holford Drive, Birmingham, B42 2TU

Smithfield Depot, Sherlock Street, Birmingham, B5 6HX

Birmingham City Council seeks injunction to ban ‘Megapickets’ and solidarity action

The injunction application, issued on 3 February 2026, seeks to prohibit for six months any protesting activity by persons unknown, without the council’s consent, in support of strikes organised by Unite the Union. This includes entering, occupying, remaining on, or blocking access to the four council depots.

Strike Map co-founder Henry Fowler said:

“This is an act of pure cowardice by Birmingham City Council, backed by their unelected commissioners. The council’s continued escalation of this dispute has already cost taxpayers £34 million. Seeking this sweeping injunction shows they are more interested in wasting public money and hiding behind the courts than in resolving the strike. This council’s contempt for its own workforce and the people of Birmingham could not be clearer. With elections coming this May, Labour councillors should start thinking about new jobs. We and our supporters will not end our solidarity with Birmingham’s bin workers. You cannot ban solidarity.”

strikers’ rally outside Labour Home Secretary’s office in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter 1st October 2025

—–

Birmingham bin workers, who began industrial action back in March, have overwhelmingly voted to extend the mandate to March 2026 in response to effective fire and rehire pay cuts of up to £8,000. The mandate will see strike action extended past Christmas and into spring if the Council fails to react.

Friday 26th September 2025 – West Midlands Fire Brigades Union is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Unite the Union in hosting a special solidarity event for Birmingham Bin workers, their families, and members of the public who wish to show their support. Everyone will be welcome! 

 Location: Norton’s, Digbeth  Time: From 6pm ‘til late 

---

Striking Unite bin workers are prevented from blocking wagons by the High Court injunction. But strike supporters aren’t covered by the injunction – so its time for us to do some blockading! #BrumBinStrike

—————————————

Trades unionists from around Britain came to support the Birmingham bin strikers Friday 25 July from 4am and shut down all five sites.

After the successful Megapicket on 9 May, which was joined by hundreds, in shut down the Lifford Lane site, we are organising Megapicket II on 25 July. Alongside unions, campaign and community groups, Megapicket II will organise across five sites on the same day. Organised by Strike Map, supported by: Artists Union England, ASLEF, BFAWU, Birmingham TUC, Equity, FBU, GFTU, HCSA, PCS, POA, Royal College of Podiatry, UCU and others.

Actions you can take:

Briefing from Strike Map https://strikemap.org/ on the ongoing 19+ week strike by Birmingham Refuse workers (members of Unite) against massive pay cuts.

Key points:

• January 2025 – dispute begins over deletion of Waste Recycling and Collection Officer role
• 11 March 2025 – indefinite strike begins. Effective picketing disrupts Birmingham City council strike-breaking
• 14 April 2025 – offer from Birmingham City council rejected by Unite members (97% vote to reject on a 60% turnout)
• 29 April 2025 – police enforce Section 14 of Public Order Act (1986). Restrictions on place, duration, and number of pickets. Birmingham City council makes new announcement of cuts to drivers’ pay
• 9 May 2025 – Strike Map mobilises effective”megapicket” closing Kings Norton depot
• 16 May 2025 – Section 14 revoked. Police presence reduced. Strike Map coordinated a letter from 25 unions (over 1.1m workers) to Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Local Government and John Cotton, Birmingham City Council. See: https://shorturl.at/8ejhI
• Dispute duration: 7 months
• All-out strike duration: 19 weeks
• Number of workers on strike: 350
• Number of sites: 3
• Proposed pay cut: c.£8,000 / year / worker (c.£650 / month)
• Amount of Birmingham City council debt (owned by central Government): £3.9 billion

Picket lines:

Atlas Depot, in Tyseley, Birmingham B11 2AS

Kings Norton. Lifford Lane,  Birmingham B30 3JJ 

Holford Drive, Perry Barr, B42 2TU

UNITE’s Appeal:

In order to support the 350 union members at Birmingham City Council we are hoping that your branch will consider making a donation.

Any support and solidarity you can provide would be greatly appreciated:
Account name: Unite West Midlands Region 1% Fund
Account number: 20174000
Sort Code: 60-83-01
Please include the reference BCC

Mike Master striker speaking at 2025 Trades Union councils conference £385 raised by delegates.