Birmingham Tip Hours Extended Amid Bin Collection Suspension

Birmingham’s bin strikes are causing changes. The city council extended tip opening times. Strikes impacted recycling collections. Recycling pickup is stopped during strikes. Unite union members are striking for 12 days this month. They will strike 13 days in March too. This is about planned job losses.

Because of the bin worker action, changes occurred. The council stopped all recycling pickups and now focus on general waste collection. Residents should take recycling to the local tip if possible. The council extended tip hours to lessen the impact.

The council announced more changes on their website. Recycling collections are stopped for now. The council aims to collect bins weekly and will collect bundled side waste, including cardboard and newspapers. Put extra waste in black bags and place bags next to your bin neatly. Close bin lids properly. Resources focus on housing blocks, and assisted collections will continue as well.

Recycling collections are stopped daily during the strike. If possible, take recycling to the tip, where it will be recycled correctly. If you can’t go, keep recycling until the next collection. The council will take side waste, however, this must be in black bags next to your bin.

The council extended hours for five recycling centers: Tyseley, Perry Barr, Kings Norton, Castle Bromwich, and Sutton Coldfield. Monday to Friday, Tyseley, Perry Barr, and Kings Norton are open longer, from 8 AM to 8 PM. Castle Bromwich and Sutton Coldfield close earlier at 6 PM.

On weekends, things are different; Tyseley, Perry Barr, and Kings Norton close at 6 PM. Sutton Coldfield and Castle Bromwich close at 4:30 PM. Booking slots match the new hours, which lets more people visit the tips.

Strikes are scheduled on specific dates. In February, strikes occur on these days: 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, and 27. March strike dates: 3, 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 21, 25, 26, 28, and 31. April strikes are scheduled too, on April second and fourth. Unite warns of more strikes if unresolved.

The strikes started from a job role removal decision. The council wants to improve service quality and removed a Waste Recycling officer role. The council says affected workers got other job offers where they could retrain or get departure packages.

The union says this role ensures safety. Pay cuts for 150 workers could reach £8,000. Unite sees the escalated strikes as a critical point.