Binmen in Birmingham could be going out on strike this summer as disputes with the council roll on.

Refuse collectors at Birmingham City Council began balloting for industrial action on Wednesday.

They are voting on whether they should strike or work to rule over a number of disputes.

It has been organised by Unite union and follows a long-running row with the city council including proposed job cuts within the bin collection service.

The ballot closes on June 14 and raises the possibility of strike action and disruption to refuse collections in the summer months. Unite regional officer, Lynne Shakespeare, said: “We engaged with waste and refuse bosses in a constructive manner only to learn that it was a massive overspend which is driving these cuts and not austerity measures.

“To date, despite repeated requests, we have not been given any information as to how and why such a huge sum was overspent in a year.

“Instead bosses are ploughing on with their cuts leaving workers to pick up the pieces for their financial mismanagement and taxpayers out of pocket.”

Last November more 60 binmen were axed as the council reduced the number of collectors loading wheelie bins onto wagons from three to two.

Unite said members were unhappy at attempts by council bosses to change long-standing agreements over staffing levels and working patterns.

The union has been involved in a consultation with council managers over the cuts, which are being blamed on budget cuts and austerity measures.

Unite said on Wednesday that it has since learned that the bin collection department overspent its budget by £9.7 million in the financial year for 2016.

Birmingham City Council said the council needed to save money.

Jacqui Kennedy, director for place, said the council needed to save £171 million by 2021.

She said: “In terms of waste management, pressures and demands on the service continue, and mean we have to find ways of saving in the region of £10 million more on an annual basis. Doing nothing is simply not an option. We need to offer our services in a more productive, effective and efficient way.

“The proposals we are consulting on will achieve all of these objectives and bring the council’s waste management service into line with many other councils nationally.

“For some staff this could mean taking up a different role, and there are sufficient vacancies within the new structure proposal to ensure that all affected staff have this opportunity.

“We are also looking at how we can make promotion opportunities available for those potentially affected.”

Ms Kennedy said it was evident that there were more cost effective ways of working in refuse collection.

She added management were committed to working closely with union colleagues to help them produce alternative proposals.

“It is, therefore, disappointing this action is being encouraged whilst we continue to work so closely,” she added.