Firefighters offer 'full solidarity' to Birmingham bin workers during strike
Members of Unite launched an all-out strike last month in a dispute over pay and jobs
Last updated 7th Apr 2025
Firefighters will not collect rubbish piling up in Birmingham because of a strike by refuse collectors, their union said today (Monday 7 April).
Members of Unite launched an all-out strike last month in a dispute over pay and jobs which has led to tonnes of black bin bags not being collected.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has offered its support to the strikers, saying it will advise members not to carry out any strike-breaking work.
FBU general secretary Steve Wright declared the union's "full solidarity" with bin workers "in their fight to defend their pay, jobs and conditions" and called on the council to settle the dispute.
Andrew Scattergood, Fire Brigades Union Executive Council member for the West Midlands, said: "It is laughable to suggest that firefighters would be brought in to collect bins during a strike by refuse workers.
"Firefighters are humanitarians and trade unionists - we do not break strikes. The FBU would advise members to refuse to carry out such work."
Mr Wright, of the FBU, said: "Birmingham bin workers are public servants who provide an essential service. They have our full solidarity in their fight to defend their pay, jobs and conditions. It's time for Birmingham Council to settle this dispute."
More talks between the council and Unite officials were being held on Monday in another bid to break the deadlock.