Birmingham faces rubbish crisis amid bin worker strike

Birmingham, England, faces a growing crisis with 19,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish accumulating since bin workers began an all-out strike on March 11 over a pay dispute. The city council has declared a "major incident" to address the escalating waste issue. Residents are further burdened by a 7.5% increase in council tax implemented on Tuesday. The situation is drawing national attention, with some portraying it as a symbol of broader issues within Britain. The rubbish piles are especially visible in working-class areas, sometimes mixed with pro-Palestine graffiti. The dispute adds to existing financial strain, as the council effectively declared bankruptcy in 2023 due to rising pay bills.