A MAJORITY of workers at Nottingham City Council have accepted controversial new terms and conditions.

But union leaders have told the Post that industrial action by council workers is still a "high probability".

Peter Savage, regional officer at Unison, said the workforce had been bullied into signing new contracts and thousands had been left bitter and angry.

"This is the equivalent of a group of soldiers being surrounded by a superior force and being told to surrender or you will be shot," he said. "In this case, it is agree to your new contract, or you will be sacked.

"Industrial action is still a high probability."

The contractual changes have been introduced along with an equal pay agreement.

Nottingham City Council, like other local authorities, has historically paid female workers in low grade jobs less than men.

Like most councils, Nottingham has been seeking to equalise the pay of staff by re-evaluating jobs.

Councils have had to act, or they would face the prospect of widespread legal action from staff. As part of the process thousands of Nottingham staff will be compensated and receive back pay. Some will see their pay reduced.

In Nottingham, unions negotiated with senior councillors and managers.

The unions thought they had reached agreement before Christmas, but when the council implemented the deal they claim the authority added in new elements relating to shifts, sick pay and mileage money.

Staff were asked to accept the termination of their existing contract and to sign new ones last month. Unions and staff were furious and since then they have been in negotiation with the council's political leadership and management.

Mr Savage said: "Nottingham City Council is unique in its incompetence and ability to upset people. Once these negotiations are concluded we will go out to our members again and test feeling."

The negotiations over equal pay have lasted years. This is the third time the city council has made an offer to staff. On each occasion large numbers of staff have objected. The council sent 7,000 letters to staff containing the latest offer and 1,500 people objected, according to the union.

The city council said the majority of responses were seeking clarification and only nine "complex" queries are still under consideration.

A spokesman said more than 80 per cent of the council's staff have now accepted the new contract, adding: "We have listened to the concerns of trade unions and colleagues and consequently have adjusted the Single Status process to allow all colleagues more time to respond."