By a ratio of three to one, Birmingham Live readers said they did not support the strike, which is set to escalate next month

BirminghamLive readers have strongly backed a resolution to the city’s bin strike. The industrial action – which has seen rubbish piled high in the streets of some areas – was opposed by a ratio of more than three-to-one in our poll.

We asked readers if they supported the strike after a series of walkouts began last month in a row over the proposed scrapping of the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer role – described by the Unite union as “safety critical”. Unite also claimed the change would result in pay cuts of up to £8,000 for 150 workers.

The poll was launched on February 11 and results compiled to yesterday, Wednesday, February 26, showed that 768 responded ‘no, I do not support the strike’.

READ MORE: All-out Birmingham bins strike as city faces new rubbish mountain fears

Those who said ‘yes, I support the strike’ numbered 221 while 22 said they were ‘unsure.’ A total of 31 people said they needed ‘more information’ before making a decision.

The action is set to intensify with Unite yesterday announcing an all-out strike from Tuesday, March 11.

Unite members will also be balloted on extending strike action for several more months over the council’s use of temporary labour, which the union claimed “undermined” the industrial action.

It said it feared further attacks to jobs and wages, including the blocking of a fair path for future pay progression.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The use of employment agencies to try and break the strike is disgraceful, especially by a Labour council.

“But let me be clear – our members will not back down from the brutal attacks launched on them and neither will Unite.

“Our members undertake a vital frontline role in keeping Birmingham clean, it is totally unacceptable that their pay has been slashed and they have been left fearful of further attacks on their jobs, pay and conditions.

“Unite is giving our members its steadfast support throughout this dispute.”

The council said in response to the all-out strike announcement: “This escalation of industrial action will mean greater disruption to residents – despite the fair and reasonable offer that the council made to Unite the Union.

“To the small number of workers whose wages are impacted ongoing by the changes to the service (of whom there are now only 40) we have already offered alternatives, including highly-valuable LGV Driver Training for career progression and pay, and other roles in the council equivalent to their former roles. No worker will lose the sums Unite are claiming.

“Residents of Birmingham want and deserve a better waste collection service and the restructure that Unite is opposing is part of the much-needed transformation of the service. Our door is still open, and we would encourage Unite to come back to the table.

“We thank residents for their continued understanding and patience so far and will continue to provide up-to-date information about our plans during the industrial action.”