The Birmingham Refuse Collectors' Strike

It must be awful. I agree this is a health problem and the government have a duty of care. If necessary clearance should be organised by the army.

The simplest thing would be for people with an open space to burn their rubbish. The Council is apparently unmoved by rats and possible pestilence, but the sight of smoke polluting the atmosphere might possibly goad them into clearing the rubbish.
Rayner won't do anything. Her function is to serve the unions, because they are the force that keeps her as Deputy Prime Minister.

I think Andy Street, the former Mayor, would have taken action by now

It’s definitely detrimental to the health of those living near these rubbish mountains

The warmer weather must be exacerbating the situation, can you imagine the stench…

Why don't they bring in the army?

RosieandherMaw

I think Andy Street, the former Mayor, would have taken action by now

I think the dispute is with Birmingham City Council, whereas Andy Street was the Mayor of the West Midlands, so refuse wasn't anything to do with him.

Sparklefizz

Why don't they bring in the army?

I imagine that the UK armed forces are rather busy at the moment.

It seems Birmingham is in a big mess. I feel so sad for this country. How have we come to this? I was talking to my AS last night about social mobility. His GP came from very humble backgrounds but worked hard and progressed. Now we are going backwards.Utilites should never have been privatised. Acadamies should not be running schools. People are all about themselves.

Birmingham council are saying they will not be blackmailed by the strike, so the strikers are getting even more disruptive. We have a very small army now and they are needed elsewhere. It is not helped by householders in certain areas not sorting and bagging rubbish so uneaten food attracts rats, so clean homes pay the price of the dirty ones. It's about time such households and fly tippers were fined. These rats breed every 3 weeks do with this warmer weather living in those areas will be a major health hazard without the resources to handle it. I wish they would employ extra security and men to clear the backlog. They will be met with resistance from the strikers but it needs doing for safety.

Andy Street, the best person for the job is sorely missed as he knows and supports the City.

Our army isn’t so small it’s unable to deal with a humanitarian crisis in its own country.

We’re not at war!

I'm in France.
Today there's a civil servants' strike over budget cuts. Two days ago it was non academic staff striking in schools.

Refuse collection has to be one of the worst strikes, though. I've seen pictures of mattresses and sofas now being added to the rubbish piles.

I live in Birmingham but our area doesn't come under Birmingham Council fortunately. We travel around the city and have seen no piles of rubbish. The press go to the worst places to report. This strike, although awful, has become an excuse for fly tipping by some. My sister lives in Birmingham and has not let her rubbish pile up. They go to the local tip, which is free of charge.

merlotgran

Our army isn’t so small it’s unable to deal with a humanitarian crisis in its own country.

We’re not at war!

Quite

The press go to the worst places to report.

I never underestimate the distortion of the press.

You only have to read headlines, then read the actual words underneath, to see that.

Having to cart your rubbish to a local tip because a service that you pay for is not being provided is not acceptable. Many many households would not be able to do that.

It's awful I can't imagine how it must look and feel . What is going to happen ? Rats would terrify me too . It's not right

It appalls me how some people do not bother to sort their rubbish. They do not seem to be recycling properly - left over food tumbling over boxes for eg. - so little wonder there is vermin.

mae13

I've put this under 'Health' because it's turning into a serious health issue.

My brother lives in Birmingham, cycles to his office every day passing unbelievable piles of black bags and increasingly stinking detritus and yes - the rats are prolific and frighteningly large.

Starmer and Raynor - sort this out!

Perhaps the council should "sorts it out". It is a local government issue. I saw an interview on ITN, the council are trying to make the refuse collectors take a £8000 pa drop in salary. I think I would be striking too.

Why the h**l should it be assumed that the Army can be used for clearing up every distasteful, unpalatable, health hazardous rat infested mess because a council refuse to deal with! ITS NOT THEIR JOB! Let the council deal with their own mess; draft in folks on community service if necessary. It would make a change from litter picking I’m sure!

It’s a local government issue to sort out - not a national government one! Locals need to not add to the very obvious problem in some parts of the city by dumping mattresses and unbagged rubbish on top!

Birmingham City Council are useless. They are bankrupt because of cockamamie 'woke' schemes. Also the athletes' village built for the Commonwealth games at Perry Barr which was not ready for the games. Hundreds of these lovely flats have lain empty ever since with millions of pounds lost.

glasshalffullagain

It seems Birmingham is in a big mess. I feel so sad for this country. How have we come to this? I was talking to my AS last night about social mobility. His GP came from very humble backgrounds but worked hard and progressed. Now we are going backwards.Utilites should never have been privatised. Acadamies should not be running schools. People are all about themselves.

Agreed. Selling off utilities was a crime. Selling council housing at such cheap rates was also a crime. Ridiculous.

At last. It is a local government issue.