'False bin collection leaflet is insulting'
BBC NewsLeaflets informing Birmingham residents about changes to their bin collections, in the middle of a bin strike, left them feeling insulted and confused.
The notices, informing people about a switch to fortnightly general waste collections and changes to recycling, should have gone to people living in nearby Sandwell.
But they also went to people in Hockley, Birmingham, who have had rubbish mount their pavements several times since the city's all-out bin strike begun in March and not had a recycling collection since January.
Both Birmingham City Council and Sandwell Council said the leaflets had been sent in error. The changes only relate to Sandwell, the council added.
It comes as Unite the union announced the strike could last until December after members voted to continue industrial action.
"It's just insult to injury, I am not amused," resident Judith Whalley said.
"I feel a bit taunted. We have been suffering all sort of hassle because of the rubbish.
"I have friends who live in Sandwell and their rubbish collections are working really well, and here we are in the middle of chaos."
Ms Whalley has previously been unable to get her mobility scooter along the street because of bin bags blocking the path.
On-and-off strike action began on 6 January with 12 walkouts planned across four months. The union began an indefinite all-out strike on 11 March.
Talks have been held under the chairmanship of conciliatory firm Acas, but the dispute has remained in deadlock.
Stephen Message, who lives on Brookfield Road, said: "It's been pretty depressing to be honest because we never know if we are going to get a collection and the rubbish has piled up, it was really horrific.
"I was really surprised to get the leaflet from Sandwell, it turns out it was wrongly delivered.
"There is no communication, that is my bug bear, we don't know what is going on. " Mr Message added.
The strike started when the union claimed about 170 workers faced losing up to £8,000 a year - but the council disputed the figures.
It has since escalated into a dispute about a decision to remove a Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role.
Unite The Union said on Wednesday that 97% of those who voted backed continued strike action, on a 75% turnout.
"The decision makers at Birmingham council need to get in the room and put forward an acceptable offer," said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, warning strikes would continue for "as long as it takes".
A council spokesperson said it had made a "fair and reasonable offer" and that it remained committed to resolving the dispute.
It added that it had urged the union to put that offer to its members.
Sandwell Council said it used "the most cost-effective approach to reach the vast majority of Sandwell households, although this means some leaflets have unfortunately been delivered to addresses just outside Sandwell.
"To help avoid confusion, we have clearly stated on the front of the leaflet that the changes relate to Sandwell's bin collections."
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