A COUNCIL is being unreasonable to ask its housing repairs staff to take pay cuts, union officials have said.

Workers from Wear Valley District Council's housing maintenance department have vowed to stand their ground in a contract dispute that has lasted for more than a year.

The council had asked about 60 staff to take a £50-a-week drop in wages, to adopt more flexible hours and agree to multi-skilling, in order to make the service more competitive before it goes out to tender under Government rules on best value.

But in two secret ballots held in July, workers voted overwhelmingly against the proposals because of the dispute over wages.

Now representatives from Amicus and the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (Ucatt) are urging the council to reconsider their pay offer and resume negotiations.

John Cosgrove, regional organiser for Ucatt, said: "The workers have agreed to all the conditions except the pay cuts.

"In previous years our members have not taken bonuses because the money has been used to deal with floods or other difficulties, but that seems to have been forgotten."

Amicus regional organiser Mike Routeledge said: "The lads are willing to talk at any time, but they cannot be expected to accept lower wages in return for more work."

Roofer Ray Sanderson said: "Men cannot go home and tell their families they going to bring home £50 less a week, that would pay most of our mortgages."

Plumber and gas fitter Mel Tennick said: "Moral used to be very high within this workforce, but we are getting fed up.

"We have agreed to many changes which have meant there have been winners and losers, but we have all stood together over this proposed wage cut, we just cannot accept it.

"Tenants will suffer in the long run. We are a dedicated workforce who are part of the community, but that is threatened now."

A council spokesman said: "The door is always open for further talks. We have to look to improve the service and stay within a set budget.

"If the workers and their unions can come up with a viable way to do that we will look at their suggestions."