Birmingham City Council has officially declared a major incident in response to a protracted bin strike that has resulted in an estimated 17,000 tonnes of rubbish accumulating on the city’s streets.

The strike, which began on March 11, involves members of the Unite union protesting the elimination of waste collection and recycling officer roles, prompting widespread concerns about public health and safety as waste piles up unattended.

The council reported that the ongoing industrial action, marked by the blocking of waste depot entrances by striking workers, has severely hindered its ability to deploy normal waste collection operations.

Typically, around 200 refuse collection vehicles operate daily, but due to the strike, only a fraction has been able to leave the depots, with reports indicating that some areas have slowed down to as little as one vehicle being dispatched per hour.

City officials have noted a substantial increase in the daily rate of waste accumulation, rising from approximately 483 tonnes per day in early March to nearly 900 tonnes daily by the end of the month.

Concurrently, the frequency of bin collections across residential properties has dropped dramatically, from 87% of households receiving weekly collections to just 17%.

In light of the worsening situation, Birmingham City Council announced it would deploy an additional 35 cleanup vehicles and crews to address the waste crisis while exploring further assistance from neighboring councils and the government.

The declaration of a major incident facilitates a more coordinated response to manage increased health and fire risks arising from the rubbish congestion in affected neighborhoods.

Concerns voiced by residents have included reports of a significant rat problem resulting from uncollected waste, with local MP Preet Kaur Gill highlighting a direct account from a constituent who claimed to have been bitten by a rat.

Councillor John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, emphasized the urgency of addressing the health risks posed by the strike, stating that the severe situation warranted extraordinary measures.

Discussions have taken place between union representatives and council officials, yet a resolution remains elusive.

The most recent negotiations occurred the prior week without agreement, with both sides exhibiting a firm stance on their respective positions.

The Unite union has voiced strong objections to council measures, including the potential for compulsory redundancies for workers who oppose the proposed changes.

Communities Minister Jim McMahon commented on the situation, affirming that the government is prepared to offer additional support should local leaders determine that the resources available to them are insufficient to resolve the crisis.

He stressed the importance of local management of the issue while noting that the situation is being closely monitored.

As the strike continues, residents are encouraged to engage with community groups organized to address the accumulating waste and mitigate its environmental impact amid ongoing labor disputes affecting basic municipal services.