CUTS to redundancy and retirement benefits for council workers have met with strong opposition from the union Unison.

The public services union is meeting members to discuss action, which could include striking.

City of York Council is proposing a cut in the amount of redundancy pay handed out.

Currently, up to 65 weeks of pay are given as compensation, and those over 50 get additional benefits in their pension scheme.

The new plans would cut the maximum compensation to 35 weeks pay and no additional benefits.

It was approved at an urgency meeting of the council, and now needs to be considered by the full council.

The council claims some workers, such as teachers, would actually benefit from the new arrangements because they would not previously have been entitled to 35 weeks.

But Unison claims it could mean some workers losing as much as £7,000 if they are made redundant.

Convenor Dave Bonner said: "Our members will see this as the council playing fast and loose with conditions of employment.

"There is no evidence that this will save any money for the council. Indeed, as redundancy becomes a less expensive option, we think that more will be on the cards and the new policy could ironically cost money.

"The union will be consulting members on a possible dispute."

Simon Wiles, director of resources at the council, said: "The decision was taken after consultation with a number of unions, including teachers' unions and Unison and after surveying other local authorities.

"Teachers' unions were supportive of the recommendations, given the significant improvements to the benefits of their 1,600 members in York.

"The council has a policy of avoiding redundancy wherever possible and this decision will mean a significant cost saving for the council, whilst increasing benefits for a significant number of staff."

Updated: 15:15 Thursday, August 29, 2002