A RADICAL salary shake-up could leave some Thurrock Council staff facing pay cuts of several thousand pounds as part of a job evaluation scheme.

According to a council spokesman, the proposed cuts are part of a wider scheme to harmonise pay within departments.

But the move has prompted widespread disquiet within the council, with staff contacting the Gazette to complain, one saying staff were on the verge of strike action.

However Kerry Abel, regional organiser for Unison, said the plans were "not a done deal" and industrial action was a possibility that was some way away. She said: "The reason the job evaluation scheme is being done is to equalise pay. It is about giving equal pay for work of equal value.

"After the consultation there will be an opportunity for union members to ballot whether they want to accept the conditions or not.

"But it's not all a story of doom and gloom -- there will be gainers and losers. Staff may even see their wages go up."

Thurrock branch secretary Maureen McPherson stressed developments were at an 'early stage.' saying: "The current proposals are with the national legal experts for the unions but no feedback has as yet been received.

"Undoubtedly when this feedback is received there will be a further range of issues to be discussed with management by local union secretaries.

"All members of a union will be entitled to vote as to whether or not they agree with the final proposals. This includes staff who have transferred to the partner organisations, Vertex and United Utilities."

She also held out hope of a change of policy, adding: "The union secretaries will continue to negotiate and work with management to achieve alternative proposals."

One of the workers who spoke directly to the Gazette, but asked not to be named, said that morale in many departments had been rocked by the move. He said: "Staff are very, very angry. Some staff have already walked out in disgust, and others are determined to take their skills to other local authorities as soon as possible.

"It appears this is hitting the most poorly off workers, who are struggling to meet living costs as it is.

"However some people on the top floor will be getting big increases. "It seems to me to indicate either a council in financial trouble, or a council with an inept and self-serving management.

"Either way there is going to be a huge skills drain from Thurrock Council, which is not in the interests of the people of Thurrock."