THE BIRMINGHAM bin strikes looked set to enter their fourth week today as Unite and the council resumed talks. 

Unite said any chance of a breakthrough has been “hobbled” by commissioners who were called in to help with the council’s finances and are overseeing “massively damaging” budget cuts.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: “The council’s public statements about wanting to end this dispute are directly at odds with its sluggish approach to negotiations.

“The council needs to be honest with its workers and the public and tell them exactly what decisions it can and cannot make without the commissioners’ permission.”

The indefinite all-out strike began on March 11 over the removal of a higher pay grade for about 150 refuse workers who are responsible for health and safety during bin collections.

Unite says those affected workers would lose an average of £8,000 a year and that the waste recycling and collection officer role is “safety-critical for an often dirty and dangerous job.”

Negotiations between the union and the city council, which disputes the £8,000 figure, took place last week without any sign of progress.

A union source told the Morning Star no major breakthrough was likely as talks continued amid growing piles of rubbish on the streets.

Unite regional officer Zoe Mayou said: “Unite stands ready to enter intensive negotiations with the council, including with the conciliation service Acas.

“But this dispute will not end unless the hugely damaging cuts to refuse workers’ wages are reversed.”

Cllr Majid Mahmood said the bin collection service was in need of modernisation.

“I share the frustration of residents; I understand they’re fed up,” he said. “I’m a born and bred Brummie.

“I have not had a collection for a fortnight myself, but we have put contingencies in place to try to support residents during this industrial action.

“We’ve extended the hours of the household recycling centres so they can book a slot online and attend the centre to dispose of waste.

“My message is to Unite — please work with us.

“We’re willing to work around the clock to resolve this.”

A spokesperson for the conciliation service Acas said: “Acas has a long history of resolving disputes.

“Our expert conciliators have significant experience in helping parties come to an agreement and our services are available to any parties in dispute.”