Senior figures in Birmingham bin talks confirm Unite deal despite council claims of no deal agreed

The ongoing Birmingham bin strike has taken another turn after senior figures said a deal had been negotiated and agreed, but the city council said no deal had been agreed.

Unite, the UK’s leading union, said it had welcomed statements by former Acas chair Lord Brendan Barber and Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker.

It said both statements from two of the senior figures in the room over the months of negotiations with Unite and the leader of the council were clear and unambiguous.

The negotiations between Barber, Parker, former leader of Birmingham council John Cotton and Unite general secretary Sharon Graham began in December 2025 and the deal was concluded in March.

Mr Parker said at the time: "I welcome the agreement reached by John Cotton and Labour with Unite to bring an end to the bin strikes.

"This has been a difficult period for the city. Residents have felt the impact and workers have been looking for fairness and certainty.

"Throughout, John and his team have stayed focused on getting round the table and finding a fair settlement for the council workers.

"This is a good deal that will deliver a better refuse and recycling service and a settlement that respects the need to deliver value for money for residents.

"What matters now is delivery. After polling day, this agreement must be honoured in full, with a clear timetable and a formal resolution that gives confidence to workers and residents alike.

"As Mayor, I will continue to do everything I can to support that process and to help ensure this deal delivers for Birmingham and the wider region. It's clear that only Labour has an agreed plan to end this strike."

However, Birmingham Council had put out a statement saying that “no deal exists” as former council leader John Cotton’s statement was made in a political capacity, not as the leader of the council.

A statement read: “Birmingham City Council were not party to discussions held between Unite and Labour in the run-up to local elections.

“Therefore, no ‘deal’ exists to ‘hang in the balance’ or ‘pull the plug’ on.

“The statement made in the run-up to the elections by the then-leader of the Labour group was made in a political capacity and not as the leader of the council.

“Since the commencement of industrial action, the council has worked diligently to find a route to a lawful, reasonable and industrially acceptable settlement of the waste dispute.

“We will continue to do so with the new leadership and administration of the council, when it is formed, and would urge Unite to engage with us also.”

Lord Butler responded by saying that unelected officers and commissioners of the council attempting to cause delay is unacceptable.

He said: “It really is time to move on from this unhappy saga.

“The fact is that this dispute could have been resolved many months ago but the declared strategy of the Council’s officials, supported by the Commission, to frustrate engagement with Unite since the middle of last year has prevented that happening.

“It is time to turn the page and I really hope that all the parties in the newly constituted Council will grasp this opportunity make this deal, get the dispute resolved and deliver for the people of Birmingham”.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “As Lord Barber and Mayor Parker have both said, the deal to end this dispute has been negotiated and agreed.

“The continued attempts by unelected council officers and commissioners to block, delay and throw into doubt this deal is unacceptable and will simply not work.

“We look forward to the elected members of the council agreeing the process for the implementation of the deal, so the usual ballot of members can take place.

“Workers and residents have put up with enough of the constant dither and delay. This is a good deal for workers and residents and it needs to be swiftly finalised.”