UNIONS are opposing Hampshire County Council’s plans to save millions by cutting weekend and overtime pay.

The Conservative council says the cuts, estimated to save £3.2m a year, will help avoid compulsory redundancies and protect frontline services.

But public sector Unison says lowest-paid workers will be the hardest hit while the highest-earning staff will be largely unaffected.

Library assistants and carers who work Saturdays and earn about £12,500 could take home between £800 and £1,000 a year less, according to union officials.

The council is looking to save £30m over the next two years, including £6m in staff costs, to cope with cuts in Government funding, The authority has already agreed to reduce management costs by 25 per cent with an enhanced voluntary redundancy scheme.

Now, bosses are talking with unions to reduce overtime and weekend “premia” payments.

Gina Turner, Unison branch secretary, said: “Even though there will be a 25 per cent cut in management there are still a substantial number who are well-paid while those at the bottom will bear the brunt. Reducing the premium pay will hit the lowest paid yet again.”

Council leader Ken Thornber said: “Early on we identified two areas where we needed to bring our payments into line with other organisations: mileage rates and weekend premia payments.

“The world of work has changed from when the council’s premia payments were first set with more flexible working and a gradual shift towards operating 24 hours and seven days a week across many sectors.”

But Unison says council chiefs should cut consultancy and agency staff costs instead.

As reported in the Daily Echo earlier this month, the authority forked out £2.7m in consultant fees and £3m on agency workers over the last six months.