Evidence points to council now unlawfully recruiting temporary staff to replace striking agency workers

Birmingham council’s monthly spend on employment agencies and outsourcers has tripled since the bin strike dispute began in January 2025, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

Analysis by Unite’s forensic accountants of Birmingham council procurement data shows it is spending an extra £1.1 million per month on agency staff and for services from Coventry-based Tom White Waste (see notes to editors for full figures).

Unite does not believe the council’s denials that it isn’t unlawfully employing temporary staff to replace striking workers.

Since agency workers employed by Job and Talent began strike action on 1 December, 20 new temporary staff hired through the Smart Solutions agency have started work at the council’s Smithfield depot.
Smart Solutions is also advertising online for temporary bin worker roles at the council.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Instead of trying to break a strike, Birmingham council should stop disgracing itself and get back to talks to find a fair resolution for the bin workers. That is the only way strikes will end.”

Directly employed bin workers have been on strike since January over pay cuts of up £8,000 for drivers and loaders.

Agency workers employed by Job & Talent began strike action on 1 December over bullying and harassment.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Analysis by Unite’s forensic accountants shows:

Birmingham council’s total spend on agency staff in 2024 was £6.4 million, averaging £533,000 a month. There was no spend on Tom White Waste or any equivalent outsourced contract.

The total spend on agency staff (Job & Talent) between January and August 2025 was £8.4 million, with another £5 million spent on Tom White Waste – totalling £13.4 million or £1.675 million a month.

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065.

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.