Sandwell Council agreed to phase the system in for their binmen from Christmas this year, but many are still unhappy, claiming they stood to lose £2,900-a-year, with some having as much as £8,100 cut from their salaries.

GMB and Unite unions said that action could last right up until the service is privatised in November, when it is handed over to Serco – which already runs children’s services in Walsall. More walk-outs are planned next Thursday and on Friday, September 24.

Unite organiser Brian Rickers said: “Our talks with the council have been a complete waste of time, but we do want to resolve this.”

Sandwell binman of 20 years Keith Tingle, aged 55, said he was striking because he expects to have £3,000 shaved off his yearly £25,000 income.

“I thought I was on a fair wage before and four years ago I moved house, taking out another mortgage. But I’ll be struggling to pay it and I’m worried I might lose my home,” he said.

Sandwell’s cabinet member for safer neighbourhoods, Coun Derek Rowley, said: “We have made contingency arrangements – hiring temporary workers – to keep services going.”