00:00The streets of Birmingham are still feeling the effects of the long-running bin strike now stretching into its ninth week.
00:08At the centre of the row is a council plan to scrap a key waste management role.
00:14You know it says the change would lead to pie cuts of thousands for dozens of staff.
00:19The council insists the number affected is small and that alternative roles or redundancy packages have been offered.
00:25The issue has sparked a wider standoff with a so-called mega-pigot blocking activity at the Lifford Line Depot.
00:33It brought together members of multiple unions.
00:35The strikes have become a flashpoint not just for bin workers but for broader discontent over jobs and pie in the public sector.
00:44Refused workers say they're being asked to do more for less while dealing with the rising living costs and reduced job security.
00:51The council argues that daily collection volumes have increased despite a reduced team and insists this proves the current service model is outdated and inefficient.
01:02Meanwhile the impact on residents is increasingly clear.
01:05Areas like Sparkhill and Ladywood have reported infestations, overflowing bins and rising levels of fly tipping.
01:11More affluent neighbourhoods seem to have escaped the worst, rising uncomfortable questions about fairness and priorities in how the crisis is being handled.
01:22The dispute has reignited wider concerns about inequality in local services and accountability from those in power.
01:29There's frustration across communities but not much confidence that anyone's listening.
01:34Talks between Unite and the council are ongoing but for now the stalemate continues and the rubbish continues to rise.
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