It’s time to talk

Responding to the latest developments in the bin strike, with further disruptions and no collections today (Friday 30 January 2026) Cllr Roger Harmer, Leader of Birmingham’s Liberal Democrat Group, said: 

“Further talks on the bin strike are long overdue. The two sides are clearly far apart, but the only way to work towards a resolution is to start talking now. 

With conflicting legal advice, it’s clear the two sides don’t even agree on what they disagree about. And the only way to resolve that is with talking the issues through. 

The two sides have not met since July last year. So much has changed since then, that the failure to meet now is totally unacceptable. 

The Labour-leadership of the council appear to be caught, like a rabbit in the headlights, afraid of doing or saying anything.

As a result, residents and councillors are kept in the dark, not even being told about today’s disruption until it’s detailed in the media. 

Residents feel like they’re being used as a pawn, in a battle between Unite and the Labour Party. It’s unfair on them and is tarnishing the reputation of our great city. It needs to come to an end.”