Birmingham bin workers warned they face blacklisting over strike action

Birmingham bin workers employed by an agency have been told they will be blacklisted from permanent roles by the council if they refuse to cross picket lines in the ongoing dispute.

Footage obtained by Sky News shows a manager from Job&Talent, an agency contracted by Birmingham City Council, telling staff at a meeting this week that council chiefs will bar them from permanent jobs if they join the strike.

The manager said: "Now I've spoken to Chris [Smiles], I've spoken to Rob Edmondson, and I think, you know categorically the council are not going to employ anybody that they don't want to employ.

"So those people that do decide to join the picket line, then the council have confirmed to us that they are not going to get a permanent job."

Chris Smiles is a strategic operational director for Birmingham City Council, and Rob Edmondson is the acting director of street scene.

The meeting took place on Thursday at the Atlas Depot in Birmingham.

Birmingham's bin workers have been locked in a dispute with the council over proposed pay cuts since March 2025.

The strike has caused widespread disruption to waste collection, with rubbish piling up across the city.

The council declared a major incident as negotiations continue, but workers remain on strike, rejecting the council's offers and demanding better pay and job security.

In response, Job&Talent said the comments were part of a longer discussion and do not reflect the agency's official position.

"We do not engage in or condone any form of blacklisting, and no worker is or would be denied employment opportunities on the basis of lawful participation in industrial action," the agency said.

"The exchange was part of an effort to clarify that no third party can guarantee permanent employment and that employment decisions are made through formal processes. No action has been taken against any worker in relation to this matter."

Job&Talent added that it "remains committed to maintaining safe, fair, and respectful working environments."

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Birmingham City Council said: "The council does not condone any actions which are contrary to legislation and good employment practice.

"Blacklisting will not be tolerated. We will immediately begin an investigation to ascertain the full facts. As this is a staffing matter, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment."

The Unite union has said many agency staff have worked for Birmingham Council for over a decade without being offered permanent roles.

"Birmingham's bin workers are well aware that there is something rotten at the top of the council. That's why they've been striking for nine months over ruinous £8,000 fire and rehire attacks on their wages," Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.

"Ministers must act now to stop this appalling behaviour and bring this dispute to an end with a fair deal for the bin workers," she added.

"The strikes will not end until it does."

(c) Sky News 2025: Birmingham bin workers warned they face blacklisting over strike action