THREE unions are claiming that a Gwent council is trying to change working conditions without negotiating with officials.

They say Caerphilly County Borough Council wants to take away bank holiday and private vehicle benefits while reducing night-time pay.

Unison, GMB and Unite have been negotiating over job evaluation - how the council rates the value of each job - and equal pay for four years.

But they allege that on December 17 the council withdrew from further negotiations, and added conditions on bank holidays, night work and vehicle allowances that had not been discussed.

At the meeting officials claim the council produced documents which they intend to issue to employees for ballot, outlining their final proposals on job evaluation and equal pay.

Unison regional organiser Dave Bezzina said that workers who are contracted to work on bank holidays receive the hours they work on top of their normal pay, and a day in lieu.

But he alleges workers would only receive extra pay and lieu on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

They also claim the council want to redefine night work - for which workers get time and a third - from 8pm to 6am to 11pm to 6am.

On top of that, an essential users allowance for the upkeep of private cars used by care assistants and others would also be scrapped, Mr Bezzina said.

The Unions say they had already objected to alleged plans to drop weekend benefits in previous negotiations.

The council has also refused to improve its monetary offer setting equal pay claims, the unions say, offering the lowest entitlement anywhere in Wales.

Low paid workers across Britain, including those in catering, cleaning and care, have been making claims for back pay on the grounds they have been underpaid compared to men working in similar skilled jobs.

Caerphilly County Borough Council says it has no comment at the present time.