WORKERS will be protesting outside the city council's headquarters this afternoon about pay freezes.
Trade Union members of Unison, GMB and Unite have said they are protesting over a pay freeze for all staff since April 2011.
They are also complaining that staff earning under £21,000 will not be given a £250 lump sum for each year of the national public sector pay freeze, which was suggested by the Chancellor in 2010.
However, city council leader, Councillor Jon Collins, said: "Following Government cuts, we have seen a real terms reduction in the council's budget of around £27 million this year while we face a further £23 million reduction next year, potentially rising to £40 million the year after.
"Maintaining services and protecting jobs has to be our top priority. The freeze in incremental pay rises has saved 150 jobs since 2011. Continuing it next year would help protect upwards of 100 jobs.
"We're taking steps towards implementing the Living Wage to support the lowest paid staff and will be discussing this further with the trade unions."
