Strikes by bin workers leave Birmingham streets overflowing. Residents fear health risks and increased rat populations.
People are worried about more rats due to the mess. Some families fear for their kids’ health, as some areas seem like dumps. The strikes have happened seven times already, and more strikes are planned.
Balsall Heath and Small Heath are very affected. Recycling is not getting picked up, and businesses haven’t had waste service for weeks. Rats and stray animals now tear open trash bags; furniture is even dumped on the roads.
A charity worker, Mazar Dad, said trash is everywhere outside his office. Shopping areas also have huge piles of trash. The worker blames the strikes because usual cleanups are not happening.
She also said the mess attracts more dumping and she misses spotless streets. Now, there’s a bad smell, and charity shop visitors are upset by animals. The worker fears things getting worse; it has only been two weeks.
She thinks the council needs to handle staff better and she questions the wage cuts. Every year, bin workers’ pay seems wrong; the council cut pay for some workers, up to £8,000 annually. Strikes could continue until April.
Shazad Nazam, a dad, worries about trash in his area, and he sees rats often. Recycling sometimes is not collected, and he thinks trash collection has gotten worse.
He said businesses aren’t getting service, and they have cardboard piling up. Though the community is close-knit, things are bad.
Matei Ciobanu, a new parent, worries for his baby’s health. The area is unsanitary, and he sees huge rats. He wants the city to clean up the mess.
Sharon Graham, a union leader, opposes the pay cuts because she said they are unfair to workers. She wants the council to fix things and said members must fight back. The union supports them fully.
The city council was asked for a statement.