Staffordshire County Council has been carrying out a jobs evaluation of nearly 28,000 contracts under national guidelines.

Unions said they had not agreed to the plans, including pay cuts of 25%.

The council said it is trying to rebalance men and women's salaries but it is consulting on the plans.

Sheila Deaville-Lockhart was one worker at the protest who said her salary would go down by �9,000 a year.

'Life-changing'

"I won't be able to pay the mortgage, I won't be able to run the car, I won't be able to come to work," she said.

Andy Martin, from the GMB Union, said the changes were "life-changing" and he had had members coming to him in tears.

He said they were lobbying to get their voices heard.

The council said the restructuring plans have been forced upon them and they are trying to make sure men and women are paid similar rates for similar jobs.

It said the proposals are up for consultation and were not a done deal.

Staff members have been written to about the effects of the changes on them so they can give feedback.