Angela Rayner urges Birmingham bin workers to accept improved pay deal amid rubbish crisis

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner visited Birmingham to address the ongoing strike by Unite union bin collectors, urging them to accept a 'significantly improved' pay deal. The strike has led to severe public health concerns, with around 21,000 tonnes of rubbish accumulating on city streets, prompting council officials to declare a major incident. Rayner emphasized the need for a swift resolution, stating that her department is supporting Birmingham City Council in clearing the backlog and improving the situation on the ground. However, Unite representatives criticized Rayner for not engaging with striking workers directly and for urging acceptance of a deal they deem insufficient. They argue that the dispute centers on significant pay cuts, with some workers facing losses of up to £8,000 annually due to changes in job roles. Despite ongoing negotiations, residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the situation, citing health risks from the uncollected waste.