Hundreds of workers took part in the protest

About 300 people turned out to make their views known on the single status scheme - which could lead to pay cuts for about 2,000 workers.

Although low paid workers will benefit, others face losing up to �12,000.

The council said the changes would be phased in over three years and staff would have the right to appeal.

About 50 social work staff staged a walkout on Thursday after being told of the proposals.

We believe that public service workers will be reduced to the lowest end of the economic scale on little better than minimum wage Mike Middleton GMB union

Senior council figures were confronted by crowds as they arrived for work on Friday.

One Liberal Democrat councillor had his car blocked by angry demonstrators.

The protesters included Mark Hannan, who said he was facing a 30.2% pay cut.

"I am here to demonstrate how disgusted I am with this entire procedure," he said.

"It is not just the fact that my team has been picked out for a 30.2% pay cut but that there has been no transparency."

Decent pay

Fiona Smith of the Unison union said: "This is a real show of force to the council who have angered our members.

"We are calling for fair pay, not low pay. People accept what equal pay is about but they are not willing for people to be robbed of their decent pay.

"If we can't secure a good deal for our members we will move towards industrial action."

Unions claim there is an increasing wage gap at the council

Tommy Campbell of the T&G union said: "It is a disgrace and we have had members in tears over this."

The GMB's Aberdeen convener, Mike Middleton, said the council had done nothing to alleviate concern over the increasing wage gap between the highest and lowest paid workers.

"This move to further increase the gap demonstrates the hypocrisy of the council, whose stated aim is to 'close the inequality gap' in the city," he said.

"We believe that public service workers will be reduced to the lowest end of the economic scale on little better than minimum wage.

Industrial action

"This will inevitably affect local economies as more workers will have less disposable incomes, creating more poverty in the 21st century."

The GMB has also scheduled a meeting next week to discuss the possibility of industrial action.

A spokesman for Aberdeen City Council said 80% of workers had been told their salaries would remain the same, while 20% would see a reduction in pay.

We are hoping not to cut people's pay in the long run Councillor Neil Fletcher

He added that the figures were only "provisional" and that all workers had the right to appeal.

Councillor Neil Fletcher of the resources committee said the council was trying to meet the conditions of the 1999 national single status agreement which sought to address pay differentials among council staff.

He said: "The unions said it would be cost-neutral but I'm afraid we've not been able to agree with the unions any changes in work practices so we've actually already added an extra �9m onto the wages bill to try and get single status done.