Birmingham bin workers urged to accept 'fair' offer - as union accuses council of refusing to put public claims in writing

16 April 2025, 17:02 | Updated: 16 April 2025, 19:10

The leader of Birmingham City Council has urged refuse workers to accept its "fair" pay offer and told Sky News he is "absolutely determined" to end the bin crisis.

Twenty-thousand tonnes of rubbish have now been cleared as the strike enters its fifth week but there is no sign of a resolution with the Unite union.

Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton said it "pains" him to see pictures of mounds of rubbish and rats feeding off the mess being broadcast around the world.

"I absolutely get the frustration and annoyance that there is amongst the people of Birmingham," he said.

"I'm a proud Brummie myself, I live here, so I experience this on a day-to-day basis.

"We are absolutely determined to bring this dispute to a conclusion. I say we have a fair and reasonable offer on the table."

He added: "I urge Unite to engage with us on the basis of a discussion around that fair and reasonable offer that means people don't need to lose out as a result of the changes that we're making."