UK Desk for Arts Express 6-11-25: Birmingham Bin Strikes What's going on?

They said it was just about the bins. But if you’ve ever lived on an estate, you know better — it always starts with the bins.

In this episode, I’m reporting from the streets of Birmingham, a city on its knees with a bankrupt council, a broken promise to workers, and rubbish piling up faster than excuses. I joined Unite the Union and the striking bin workers right outside the council house as they raised their voices (and a fair bit of hell) against a system that’s failing them — and us.

This isn’t just about pay. It’s about dignity. About working-class people being pushed into a Victorian underclass while the powers that be hide behind buzzwords and balance sheets. You’ll hear from the frontlines — chants, chaos, and community — and we’ll trace how Brum got here, what it means, and why this fight matters beyond the Midlands.

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