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Agency refuse workers employed by Birmingham council amid the ongoing bin dispute are being balloted for strike action, a leading union claimed. Strike action by agency workers would "severely add to the disruption" already caused to Birmingham’s refuse collection services, Unite the union has warned. Directly-employed Birmingham bin workers have been on strike since January over effective 'fire and rehire' cuts of up to £8,000, with industrial action by those workers set to last until at least March next year. Read more: Unite demands bin worker 'blacklisting' investigation after manager caught giving picket warning A growing number of Job & Talent agency staff are now refusing to cross the picket lines of striking Birmingham bin workers. The union says this is due to "unsustainable workloads and the toxic and bullying workplace culture" at the council’s refuse department. The news today (Monday, October 27) comes after a 'blacklisting scandal' last week. In a video shared online, an agency manager was recorded telling refuse workers they will not get permanent jobs with the authority if they join striking workers protesting on picket lines. Unite has also demanded an independent inquiry amid claims the council has failed to act on its concerns. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the union "fully backs" workers who are being treated "appallingly by the agency and council." She said: "The Birmingham bin dispute just keeps getting worse because of the complete and utter mismanagement and vindictive behaviour of the council. “Government ministers and Birmingham councillors need to step in and ensure a fair deal for all Birmingham bin workers – which is the only way strikes will come to an end.”
