Bin worker Mike Masters told the Mirror: ‘I would like to thank His Majesty for his acknowledgement towards our struggle – recognition means we are being heard’
King Charles today waved to bin strike protesters from his car on an official visit – and they later thanked him for acknowledging their struggle.
The King, 76, greeted demonstrators who unfurled flags and banners calling for an end to the six-month-long strike in Birmingham over proposed pay cuts. The protesters, in the Unite union, were behind a police cordon outside Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, which was opened by the King.
Unite senior organiser Shane Edwards, 47, said: “He gave us a little wave. Our problem is not with him it’s with the local council – but hopefully now that he’s seen us the King will raise the issue with Keir Starmer.
“It would be nice if the King would go down to the worst-hit areas and visit the workers on strike to see how people are being affected, but I realise it’s difficult for him in terms of security.”
Bin worker Mike Masters added: “I would like to thank His Majesty for his acknowledgement towards our struggle. Recognition means we are being heard.”
Street cleaners were tidying near the hospital before the King arrived, but bin bags piled up in other parts of the city.
Dad-of-three Shazad Khan, 35, of Small Heath, stood by a large pile of rubbish in a recreation ground and said: “I wish the King could see the real Birmingham. If he were to see this he would probably have a heart attack.
“The strike has been going on for so long. People are just dumping stuff. I’m worried about my children being around it. There are rats and mice running around – it’s an infestation.
“But I support the workers. I want to see the council come to an agreement with them and for it to end.”
Unite organiser Mr Edwards said: “Some workers are losing 20 per cent of their salary. It’s outrageous. Some have put their houses up for sale. We’re yet to see a fair pay deal. I don’t call an ÂŁ8,000 pay cut a fair deal.” He added: “They’re on strike and they’re losing money, but they’re determined to see it out until the end. They’re inspiring.”
Bin worker Mr Masters added: “We are fighting to avoid pay cuts which will force families into poverty.
“We as workers are not being listened to and have been forced into this situation which is now entering its eighth month. This is not fair on workers, their families and not fair on the good people of Birmingham.”
Unite has warned the all-out strike, which began on March 11, could be extended into next spring. They say government-appointed commissioners thwarted a deal that would have ended the dispute.
The King had been due to open the hospital in Smethwick in March, but that was postponed because of side-effects from his cancer treatment. The King joked with patient Jacqueline Page, 85, who said she was “wearing out”.
He replied: “I know, this is the terrible thing as I am discovering already. The bits don’t work so well when you get past 70.”
Matthew Shinda, 73, from Oldbury, who is being treated for prostate cancer, told the King: “It is nice to see you are recovering well.” The King replied: “I am not too bad.” He added: “The great thing is they’re getting better at dealing with these things. There’s always hope down the road.”
The King also met the first baby to have been born at the hospital after it opened its doors on October 6 last year and her parents, Semhar Tesfu and Yonas Kflu, from Perry Barr. Hernata Yonas arrived at 8.48am – just 90 minutes after the maternity ward opened its doors for the first time.
Charles also visited Birmingham Oratory, where archivist David Joyce showed him personal effects belonging to Cardinal John Henry Newman, who was declared a saint by the late Pope Francis in 2019. They have been left untouched there in the Cardinal’s room since his death in 1890.
