Music fundraiser marks bin strike anniversary

A single has been released to mark one year since an all-out strike by refuse collectors started in Birmingham.

Members of Unite started a continuous walkout on March 11 2025, in a dispute over pay and despite several attempts by both the city council and union, no resolution has been reached.

Power To The Bin Strikers (Unite For Workers Rights) has been recorded by Birmingham's Banner Theatre in partnership with Unite and will raise funds for the strikers.

Striking bin worker Danny Taylor said, "It is a recognisable folk song reworked to portray the striking bin workers targeted by a Labour council. We hope the general public will like it as much as we do."

"The song will help to remind the general public why our members are on strike.", said Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham.

Last week, Cllr John Cotton told the BBC he was "keen to resolve the dispute" with members of Unite.

He said his message to the union was that the "door was open to sensible negotiations".

Unite said there would be no end to the strikes until there was a fair deal for Birmingham's bin workers.

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