Shropshire Council staff face pay cut

Staff at Shropshire Council could face a pay cut of 5.4% if plans are backed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The Conservative-led council needs to save £76m over the next three years.

Chief Executive Kim Ryley said a pay cut was preferable to making up to 500 redundancies.

Regional Unison organiser Rick Tudor described the move as "cruel and particularly spiteful," and said the union could not rule out industrial action.

"Our members are extremely angry and upset over both the proposals and the secrecy involved," he added.

The proposed cut, which would take effect from October, would also require approval by a meeting of full council on 23 June.

'New terms'

The chief executive said the plans, which would apply to all staff earning more than £13,000, would ultimately cut costs by at least £7m a year.

Mr Ryley added that if no formal agreement could be reached with trade unions before 23 June, the authority would look to force through its plans.

"That would involve us technically dismissing all our staff and re-engaging them on new terms," Mr Ryley said.

Staff also face changes to their working conditions, including sickness benefits and annual leave entitlement.

The council said the revised conditions would "introduce more flexibility and greater productivity".