Staff are striking over Birmingham City Council’s plans to scrap the role of waste recycling and collection officer, which Unite claims would mean pay cuts of up to £8,000 for 150 workers.

Workers are now being balloted to extend strike action into the summer over the council’s use of temporary labour to replace striking workers.

Unite said it had warned Birmingham and its employment agency Job&Talent that this was unlawful, and the union has called on the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, a government body, to take action.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘The use of employment agencies to try and break the strike is disgraceful, especially by a Labour council.

‘Our members undertake a vital frontline role in keeping Birmingham clean. It is totally unacceptable that their pay has been slashed and they have been left fearful of further attacks on their jobs, pay and conditions.’

A council spokesperson said: ‘To the small number of workers whose wages are impacted by the changes to the service (of whom there are now only 40) we have already offered alternatives, including highly valuable LGV drive training for career progression and pay, and other roles in the council equivalent to their former roles.

‘No worker will lose the sums Unite are claiming.’

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