BIRMINGHAM binmen are planning to vote on strike action in two weeks time – as their colleagues in Sandwell staged their first walk out yesterday.

The striking Black Country binmen, said they expect their protests at wage cuts, due to the single status agreements system, to continue for two months.

Around 70 of Sandwell Council’s binmen staged the second of their four planned walk-outs yesterday morning outside a depot in Shidas Lane, Oldbury.

Birmingham binmen have also complained about the single status system brought in six months ago to rectify differences in pay and conditions. Joint union spokesman for the city refuse workers, Steve Foster, said: “We will be looking to ballot our members in the next two weeks.”