Some council staff may lose thousands of pounds under a so-called single status agreement that seeks to equalise pay across different types of workers.

The authority stresses it is a national agreement. Unions are calling for a meeting between local MPs and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

There was just one collection on Wednesday morning, in Wood End.

'No choice'

The council's deputy leader, Tony O'Neill, said: "There are 56 people who are losing more than �5,000 a year.

"We're not happy about it but I must stress this is a national agreement.

"This isn't political football. This isn't an idea by the Conservative party, the Labour party or anyone else.

"It's the law of the land and we have to put single status in place. We have no choice."

Richard Harty, the Unison representative looking after city council employees, said he understands it is a national agreement the council has to abide by and that is why he wants the government to intervene.

He added: "If we can get the support of central government, then we could begin to address the considerable number of losers in our authority."