Rubbish Piles Up In Birmingham As Refuse Workers' Continue Strike Action

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: In an aerial view, uncollected household waste and rubbish pile up on Primrose Avenue, in Sparkbrook, as Birmingham council refuse collectors continue their strike on April 15, 2025 in Birmingham, England. On Monday union members voted to reject a council offer to end the refuse workers' strike, as the government announced it had called on office-based military personnel to help the council clear rubbish from Birmingham's streets. Rubbish collectors and members of Unite began intermittent strikes earlier this year over Birmingham City Council's plans to downgrade some staff and reduce their pay, and on March 11 refuse workers declared an indefinite strike after the council's move to use agency staff for bin collections. A major incident has been declared in the city, as uncollected rubbish continues to pile up and case rat infestation. (Footage by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)