PCS Solidarity with the Birmingham Bin Strikers
It was an early start on what threatened to be a wet and miserable day. It was 20 September 2025. With my trusty PCS flag in hand and a new PCS cap in my bag, I set off to meet PCS colleagues at the Birmingham regional office, ready for the Support the Bin Workers Rally.
A very large gathering was already in place when I arrived. Alongside Unite, Unison and CWU union flags and many “Support the Bin Worker” flags, I could see a considerable number of bright yellow PCS flags fluttering in the breeze. As numbers continued to grow, the celebrated PCS Samba Band began warming up, sending rhythms reverberating around Jennens Road and beyond. A few feet began to tap in time with the beat and some attendees even started dancing.
PCS members from many workplaces were in attendance, some sporting the new blue PCS baseball caps, and on the stroke of 10am the march began. A circuit of the Unite/PCS building ensured everyone was ready for the mile-long walk to the Birmingham Council House. Coloured flares created an atmosphere of acrid smoke, reminiscent of a Guy Fawkes Night party. This was fitting, as Guy Fawkes had campaigned against persecution, and the bin workers certainly seem to be persecuted for daring to protect their income and safety in the workplace.
The march took us on to Jennens Road, where a less-than-sympathetic driver gave the stewards a torrent of abuse when we held traffic at a junction. After that, the only shouting and horn-blasting came from supportive drivers, whether in private cars or lorries. Even bus drivers stepped out of their vehicles to show solidarity. As we wove our way closer to Victoria Square, the Samba Band’s pulsating, booming sounds echoed around the tall skyscrapers, announcing our arrival in the city centre.
The last few hundred metres took us past a recruitment agency that reportedly recruits workers to break the bin workers’ strike. The front door of the office had been plastered with stickers and leaflets opposing the role of the agency. It was unclear when this had happened or who was responsible, but it certainly sent a message.
The march ended at Victoria Square, where inspiring speeches from striking bin workers and the General Secretary of Unite were heard by all, including any city councillors who were inside the Council House.
There must have been two to three thousand people on the march, all showing solidarity. Everyone in attendance knew that the attack on the bin workers was an attack on us all. It was made very clear that if the council, which is now considering fire-and-rehire to forcibly downgrade workers, wins this dispute, then other employers will follow suit. Union solidarity was clearly on display today.
I can’t finish without thanking everyone from PCS who attended – you know who you are.