Bin Strike Outrage Birmingham Residents Demand Tax Relief for Missed Service

Birmingham residents are upset. Recycling collections are stopped due to a bins strike. The council told people to use local tips instead. Many people did not know about this change. They put out recycling bins which were not collected.

The recycling suspension happened at the same time Birmingham announced a council tax increase of 7.5%. This tax increase follows almost a 10% rise last April.

A union is striking for twelve days this month and will strike again for thirteen days in March. They protest job cuts. One resident worries about full recycling bins and that they can’t travel to the tip and empty them. Council tax goes up 17.5% in two years.

The union says the pay cuts are not right and that the council can’t ignore the situation. The union supports its members fully. They believe more cuts will follow.

The council is disappointed by the strike and are trying to resolve the issue. They will minimize disruption for residents.

One person online thinks the council benefits from the strike as they save money by not paying striking staff. Workers stand to lose a lot of money each year. This online user suggests everyone loses except the council.

Someone else thinks the city faces a big problem. Residents may see double-digit council tax increases and will pay more for fewer services. They believe everyone must work together. Extra trips to recycling centres are better than piles of rubbish.

One person with no transport asks for help, as they can’t get to the tip. Extra bin bags will pile up, and animals will tear the bags open.

One person says people pay taxes for bin collections. Some people don’t have cars to take rubbish. Even with a car, rules limit tip access. They ask what people without cars should do.

Another person is angry, saying they pay for a service they are not getting. Strike days overlap with collection days, and they won’t take rubbish to the tip. They pay the council to do that job. They suggest outsourcing the service, adding that streets will fill with trash otherwise.

One person thinks services should be discounted and people shouldn’t pay full price for less. Missed collections should reduce the next tax bill.

Another writes about broken contracts. They would sue a private company failing to deliver, highlighting that the council suggests people pay and do the service themselves. Congestion charges may increase due to more tip trips.

One resident will leave bins outside until someone collects them.