Shehnaz Khan reports from the West Midlands for BBC News, where talks are scheduled to resume on Wednesday in an effort to resolve the Birmingham bin worker strike. The ongoing strike, now in its seventh week, has resulted in large piles of uncollected rubbish accumulating on sidewalks and street corners. Last month, a major incident was declared due to concerns about public health and the environment.
At the House of Commons, the Housing, Communities, and Local Government Minister, Jim McMahon, reiterated calls for the Unite union to end the strike. Urging the union to consider a council offer, McMahon stated, “The industrial action is in no one’s interest because the deal on the table is a good deal.” He emphasized the government’s support for the people of Birmingham in creating a sustainable waste service.
Residents affected by the strike, such as Judith Whalley from Hockley, have observed improvements in the situation. Whalley noted that bags of rubbish have been cleared away, and the area is looking much better compared to previous weeks. Lorraine Boyce from West Heath also acknowledged a noticeable improvement but highlighted the lingering issue of accumulating recycling waste.
Unite expressed in a recent statement that a deal could be closer if promises made by the council were put in writing. Birmingham City Council Leader John Cotton emphasized the importance of continued dialogue to achieve a resolution to the dispute. Meanwhile, Conservative MP Wendy Morton called for swift action to bring an end to the strike, emphasizing the frustration of residents over the ongoing waste collection issues
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