A union representative has branded Birmingham an "international laughing stock" as the city's bin strike crisis deepens.
Onay Kasab, from Unite the Union, warned that mounting piles of uncollected waste now pose serious "health concerns" for residents.
The stark assessment comes as Birmingham City Council declared a major incident over the weekend, with an estimated 17,000 tonnes of waste now littering streets across the city.
The all-out strike by Unite members has left many residential areas in crisis conditions.
Speaking to GB News, Kasab said: "Well, I need to make very clear this is not about our members asking for more money.
"This is because Birmingham Council, before the strike action started so we waited for as long as possible, made a decision to cut the pay of our loaders who work at the back of vehicles by up to £8,000 a year.
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"Now, just to put that into context, that then means that the majority of staff on on the refuse service in Birmingham will be earning just above the national minimum wage.
"That's what the dispute is about. We're not asking for more money. We're just trying to protect what people have got at the moment.
"And there's some context here. We've heard a lot in the news over the last couple of days, once again, about the increased cost of living, the bills that people are getting through and yet our members here are being asked to take a pay cut of up to £8,000 a year.
"The consequences for the people of Birmingham are, of course, appalling.
"These piling heaps of rubbish are undoubtedly a health hazard and Birmingham is becoming an international laughing stock."
The bin strike began on March 11 when Unite union members walked out over pay and job cuts, with no resolution in sight.
After weeks of mounting garbage and growing public health concerns, Birmingham City Council officially declared a major incident on March 30.
Despite contingency plans being put in place, the strikes have effectively prevented regular waste collections throughout the city.
The situation has continued to deteriorate over the past three weeks, with waste piling up in residential areas, parks and public spaces.
The environmental impact has been severe, with an explosion in the rat population causing additional health concerns.
Pest controllers across Birmingham are in demand at the moment, they told Sky News "we feel like the fourth emergency service."
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Onay Kasab, from Unite the Union, warned that mounting piles of uncollected waste now pose serious "health concerns" for residents.
The stark assessment comes as Birmingham City Council declared a major incident over the weekend, with an estimated 17,000 tonnes of waste now littering streets across the city.
The all-out strike by Unite members has left many residential areas in crisis conditions.
Speaking to GB News, Kasab said: "Well, I need to make very clear this is not about our members asking for more money.
"This is because Birmingham Council, before the strike action started so we waited for as long as possible, made a decision to cut the pay of our loaders who work at the back of vehicles by up to £8,000 a year.
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"Now, just to put that into context, that then means that the majority of staff on on the refuse service in Birmingham will be earning just above the national minimum wage.
"That's what the dispute is about. We're not asking for more money. We're just trying to protect what people have got at the moment.
"And there's some context here. We've heard a lot in the news over the last couple of days, once again, about the increased cost of living, the bills that people are getting through and yet our members here are being asked to take a pay cut of up to £8,000 a year.
"The consequences for the people of Birmingham are, of course, appalling.
"These piling heaps of rubbish are undoubtedly a health hazard and Birmingham is becoming an international laughing stock."
The bin strike began on March 11 when Unite union members walked out over pay and job cuts, with no resolution in sight.
After weeks of mounting garbage and growing public health concerns, Birmingham City Council officially declared a major incident on March 30.
Despite contingency plans being put in place, the strikes have effectively prevented regular waste collections throughout the city.
The situation has continued to deteriorate over the past three weeks, with waste piling up in residential areas, parks and public spaces.
The environmental impact has been severe, with an explosion in the rat population causing additional health concerns.
Pest controllers across Birmingham are in demand at the moment, they told Sky News "we feel like the fourth emergency service."
Find Out More...