The boss of Birmingham City Council’s bins has quit and moved to Australia after just two years in the job, as rotting rubbish continues to pile up in the streets amid an ongoing strike by refuse workers.
Craig Cooper, until recently the council’s Strategic Director of City Operations, made the announcement that he is to start work more than 10,000 miles away on LinkedIn.
The job saw him responsible for services including waste disposal, at a time when much of the city is plagued by thriving rat infestations and mounds of uncollected waste.
His new role in the award-winning ‘clean’ city of Brisbane hasn’t been officially announced.
Mr Cooper appeared to suggest he will be joining officials there to help bring the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the Queensland capital in seven years’ time. He later denied that was the case.
Mr Cooper also worked to deliver the 2022 Commonwealth Games before leaving to work for a private company and then returning to Birmingham City Council in April 2023.
But he lasted just two years as frustration over the increasing bin problems spiralled out of control.
More than 350 workers of the Unite union began a series of walkouts in January and decided on indefinite strike action on March 11, citing a dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.
Craig Cooper, until recently the council’s Strategic Director of City Operations, made the announcement that he is to start work more than 10,000 miles away on LinkedIn
The boss of Birmingham City Council’s bins has quit and moved to Australia after just two years in the job amid strike action by refuse workers
Just last week more horrifying photos emerged of ‘apocalyptic’ scenes in Britain’s second city
Just last week more horrifying photos emerged of ‘apocalyptic’ scenes in Britain’s second city, which residents say is being held to ransom by the striking binmen.
Mr Cooper admitted on LinkedIn that the job had ‘challenged’ him and been ‘complex’ but made no mention of the continuing rubbish issues.
He said: ‘After an extraordinary few years, it’s time to say goodbye to Birmingham – a city that has challenged me, inspired me, and given me so much.
‘As the Executive Director City Operations, I’ve had the privilege of leading through a time of intense change and real momentum.
‘From complex day-to-day operations, significant large scale capital developments to playing a key leadership role for landmark moments like the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, I’ve witnessed the very best of this city’s resilience, creativity, and community spirit.
‘One of my greatest professional joys has been building a high-performing leadership team – passionate, skilled, and committed – who are now driving forward an ambitious agenda of delivery transformation, with major developments and more global sporting events on the horizon.’
And he added: ‘To my colleagues, partners, and all those who care so deeply about this place – thank you. Your support, energy, and humour have meant the world.
‘Birmingham will always hold a special place in my heart. And as for the next chapter – let’s just say I’m looking forward, with one eye on Brisbane 2032.’
Mr Cooper admitted on LinkedIn that the job had ‘challenged’ him and been ‘complex’ but made no mention of the continuing rubbish issues
Bin workers have been taking indefinite strike action since March 11, after first walking out in January
One friend replied to say: ‘Sorry that Brum will be losing you, but glad to hear you’re planning on exporting your talents to help our Australian cousins!’
Mr Cooper replied: ‘Thank you, I’ve already had a visit and it confirmed a passion and sports culture that’s unrivalled across the world.
‘I’m hugely excited and somewhat humbled. Joining a brilliant organisation. But more about that once I get there.’
When approached, Mr Cooper denied he would be working to bring the games to Australia, but admitted he had left Birmingham.
‘It’s true I have emigrated to Australia but at this point I won’t be stating who I’m working for,’ he said.
‘You’d be wrong to state that I’m actually at present working to deliver Brisbane 2032.
‘It’s also worth noting that the move to Australia was planned some time ago and isn’t something that happened recently.’
The bin dispute initially centred on the council’s decision to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) roles.
The bin dispute initially centred on the council’s decision to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) roles
Seven months later, mounds of rotting rubbish are a fixture on the city’s streets and the city has a major rodent problem
The union said fire and rehire tactics had ‘effectively’ been deployed against striking workers
Talks to end the strike hit another roadblock last week, leaving residents of the UK’s second city in crisis
The Unite union, which represents workers, claims about 170 affected staff members face losing up to £8,000 a year because of the decision – but the council disputes the figures.
The row escalated last week after Unite voted to suspend Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s membership of the union.
In a sign of a growing divide between the major union and Labour, Unite also voted to ‘re-examine its relationship’ with the party.
The move comes after Unite members debated a motion at their conference in Brighton, where they condemned the Labour-run council in Birmingham, and the Government, for their approach to the bin workers.
The union said fire and rehire tactics had ‘effectively’ been deployed against striking workers.
A source close to Ms Rayner said she had already resigned her membership several months ago.
Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: ‘Craig Cooper may have run away to one of the cleanest cities on earth but the stink from his disgraceful championing of brutal pay cuts of up to £8,000 for hundreds of bin workers is still following him around.’
When asked about Mr Cooper leaving, a Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: ‘Richard Brookes is the interim replacement.’
