The Conciliation Service Acas will host a series of new talks between Birmingham Council, the union Unite and the aim is to resolve the ongoing bin strike in Birmingham.
Acas will be the first major actor to try and end the strike since 11 March, when it began.
In January, industrial action was launched over the scrapping a role of waste recycling and collection officers that the union deemed safety-critical. Unite’s negotiating team will be led at Acas by Sharon Graham, its general secretary. The union has stated that the end of these roles could result in workers losing up to PS8,000 per year.
Birmingham City Council is also evaluating and reviewing its equal pay policies. About 200 drivers, mainly men, are concerned that their jobs will be reduced as part of this exercise.
According to reports, the drivers, who are currently listed in grade 4 roles, may be downgraded to a grade 3, which would mean a substantial pay cut.
The salary of the driver team leader, who guides the trucks on the streets, is currently between PS33.366 and PS40.476. These jobs would fall under the grade 3, which pays PS26,409 to PS32,654.
The role of waste recycling and collections officer, whose axing sparked the conflict in January, was held by 170 employees. It was a Grade 3 position.
The city council, however, has claimed that a “fair offer” was made. It also stated that “not one worker should lose a penny”. Last week Unite announced a fair settlement to the dispute is “touching distance”. Unite refused an offer by the city council on 14 April, claiming that it would not protect workers against a significant pay cut.
Kevin Rowan, Acas’ director of dispute resolution, confirmed that Birmingham City Council (BCC) and Unite had agreed to Acas-mediated conciliation talks in order to resolve their current dispute with refuse workers.
Acas is able to offer free, impartial advice for employees and employers on workplace rules, rights and best practices, but it does not have any statutory powers.
Birmingham declared a major event in March amid concerns about public health and environmental issues.
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