STRIKING bin workers in Birmingham rejected the council’s “totally inadequate” offer today.

More than 350 Unite members have been on strike since March 11 over plans to cut a vital waste recycling role.

The union says it will lead to 150 of its members having their pay slashed by up to £8,000 a year.

Today, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government summoned army experts to tackle rubbish piling up on the street, deeming it a more appropriate response than stepping in to reverse the pay cut.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had said there was a “significantly improved offer on the table for the workers” from the council and urged Unite to accept it.

But in a ballot today, hundreds of workers voted to reject the deal.

Unite said that it still included substantial pay cuts for workers and did not address potential pay cuts for 200 drivers.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: “For weeks, these workers have faced attacks from government and their employer pushing the lie that only a handful of workers are affected by the council’s plans to cut pay by up to £8,000.

“Instead of peddling untruths about these low paid workers and focusing on winning a media war, the government should have taken the time to check facts and used its office to bring the council to the table in a meaningful way.

“The rejection of the offer is no surprise as these workers simply cannot afford to take pay cuts of this magnitude to pay the price for bad decision after bad decision.

“Unite has set out simple and reasonable steps to the council to resolve these issues. It is important to remember that this dispute is not about a pay rise, it is about preventing serious pay cuts.”

Ms Graham added: “The government must now call a meeting with the stakeholders to ensure these steps are taken to bring the strike to an end.

“The government must now also urgently consider Unite’s proposal for debt restructure at Birmingham City Council and other local authorities.”

Refuse workers are set to rally outside Birmingham Council House tomorrow and hand in a petition backing their fight.

A Birmingham council spokesperson said: “It is incredibly disappointing, that despite several weeks of extensive negotiations, Unite have rejected a second offer of settlement. However, our door remains open.

“We must also guard against future equal pay claims, and while we have sought throughout the negotiations to protect pay for individuals, Unite’s proposals focus solely on retaining a role that does not exist in other councils and represents an equal pay risk for Birmingham.

“We have made a fair and reasonable offer and every employee affected by the removal of the WRCO role could take an equivalent graded role in the council, LGV Driver training or voluntary redundancy packages.”

The government has been contacted for comment.