SEVERAL hundred council staff are expected to give councillors a frosty reception at a demonstration outside a full meeting of the authority on Thursday .

Unison is calling on members from across the region to protest the Winsford meeting of Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) in opposition to the Tory authority’s imposition of new contracts.

Ray McHale, assistant branch secretary of West Cheshire Unison, said the union had escalated its response to a regional level because CWaC was ‘pioneering attacks on terms and conditions’ which may be followed by other councils.

He anticipates between 200 and 300 trade unionists are likely to attend.

Staff who work unsocial hours, including librarians and care workers, are upset because they now receive ‘flat’ rates of pay – meaning no extra pay for weekends, overtime or bank holidays.

A programme of industrial action has included a three-hour strike by affected staff on Valentine’s Day and over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

In addition, about 900 council staff also withdrew the use of their personal cars during working hours because of a reduction in the car allowance.

Unison says the demonstration at the start of the meeting is ‘to pressure the council to re-open negotiations’ with the trade unions.

A bulletin to all members says: “Remember many people face big cuts in pay protection, casual user allowances, relocation mileage payments, split-shift payments and redundancy pay for those over 55. All members should make a real effort to attend this protest.”

Unison is not ruling out strike action over the May bank holiday and says council management has banned care workers from taking leave over that weekend, unless already booked, in readiness.