THE Birmingham bin strikes have escalated after agency staff on the refuse contract are set to join their pickets for the first time, their union Unite announced today.

After voting for industrial action, agency workers employed by Job & Talent will be able to join official picket lines by Birmingham City Council bin workers from December 1.

The workers employed by the local authority have also voted overwhelmingly to extend their strike action until past May’s local elections.

Unite bin workers have been on an all-out strike since March over the local authority’s plans to regrade roles and impose an up to £8,000 cut in annual pay, says Unite.

“A growing number of Job & Talent agency staff have been refusing to cross picket lines due to unsustainable workloads and the toxic and bullying workplace culture at the council’s refuse department,” said a Unite spokesman.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a real escalation in the dispute with agency workers now joining picket lines due to the terrible way they have been treated by Job & Talent and Birmingham Council.

“Birmingham Council is spending a fortune it doesn’t have on a dispute that could easily be resolved by agreeing a fair deal for workers.

“Unite does what it says on the trade union tin — we are totally committed to fighting for the jobs, pay and conditions of all its members.

“Agency and directly employed workers alike in Birmingham Council’s refuse service have the union’s complete and utter support.”

A spokesperson for the council, which has declared effective bankruptcy, said: “A small number of agency staff are in a separate dispute with Job & Talent.

“The city council has contingency plans and will continue to look to maintain residents with a minimum of one collection a week.

“Meanwhile we continue to move forward with the service improvements that are long overdue and that our residents need.”

Job & Talent was contacted for comment.