Birmingham Bin Workers Commemorate Year of Strike with New Single
New track highlights pay dispute and ongoing impact of industrial action on city streets
Last updated 6th Mar 2026
"We hope the public will enjoy it as much as we do," says Danny Taylor, a Birmingham bin worker on strike since January 2025, about a new folk single marking one year of the city’s all-out refuse collection strike.
Members of Unite began the continuous walkout on 11 March last year over pay and working conditions. The union says planned reforms to the refuse collection service could leave hundreds of workers losing thousands of pounds.
The single, Power To The Bin Strikers (Unite For Workers Rights), was recorded by Birmingham’s Banner Theatre in partnership with Unite. Proceeds from the track will go to support striking members, and the union hopes it will help the public understand why industrial action continues.
"It’s a recognisable folk tune reworked to portray the striking bin workers targeted by a Labour council," Taylor said.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added "The song is a reminder to the public of why our members continue to take industrial action."
The strike has caused disruption across the city, with overflowing public bins, fly-tipped rubbish, and residents reporting delays in essential services. For some, the impact has been deeply personal: 87-year-old Doreen from Newtown says piles of waste outside her home prevented ambulances from reaching her during the strike, leaving her feeling trapped and embarrassed to invite anyone over.
Birmingham City Council maintains it has made repeated attempts to reach a negotiated settlement. Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said:
"The council has engaged in negotiations with Unite, and while we remain committed to reaching a negotiated settlement, Unite has rejected our fair and reasonable offers. The value of the lump sums being quoted as a ‘ballpark deal’ by Unite has never been offered. Unite continue to demand significant lump sums which are simply unjustifiable and do not represent best value for the council and the citizens of Birmingham."
He added "We have also invited Unite on multiple occasions to make a proposal to end the strike, which we would fully and carefully consider, but they have declined to do so thus far. Our doors remain open for Unite to put forward constructive suggestions to resolve this dispute, and we want those taking strike action to return to work so we can continue delivering the waste services that the people of Birmingham expect and deserve. We know residents are frustrated and we are sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate their patience."
Unite members recently voted to extend their industrial action mandate beyond the local elections in May and into September, signalling the dispute is set to continue.