WORKERS at a North-East council have been told they face a wage cut of up to £6,000 each.

Chiefs at Sunderland City Council sent out letters to all staff informing them of the move, which comes after a pay review.

One in ten were told their wages would be cut by between 2.6 and 33 per cent, a cut of approximately £500 to £6,000.

Many could also lose out due to cuts in shift allowances and overtime payments.

The move is part of a national agreement to introduce equal pay - but 4,708 workers are to benefit after a back-dated pay rise was agreed.

It is the latest council to reach an agreement on equal pay and is paying £9m in compensation to 3,000 people.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "Sunderland City Council is obliged to comply with the national agreement to introduce equality across its pay and grading structure and has a duty to treat all its employees equally and fairly."