UNION members have failed to force arethink of cost-cutting plans to slash overtime and unsocial hours payments at Harrow Council.

Morethan 300 residents supported an application lodged on Friday to review the cabinet committee’s January 19 decision to consult over raising wages for the lowest paid, cutting salaries for the highest paid and reducing lucrative weekend working deals in a bid to save more than £850,000 over two years.

UNISON’sHarrow branch said in a statement: “In calling-in the decision, it was UNISON’s intention to make the leader Bill Stephenson and his Labour administration see sense and resume discussions with UNISON so that issues in negotiations could be resolved around the table and not on the front page of newspapers.

“However,we were informed our notice had been refused on the grounds it was ‘unconstitutional’ and did not comply with the council’s criteria as the format had not been adhered to, despite the fact that a clear challenge had been presented on equality grounds - a potential human rights challenge.”

A successful application would have meant a cross-party panel of councillors scrutinising the proposals further.

UNISONargued Labour’s plans could see 5,000 council workers being fired and rehired on contracts with less favourable terms and conditions under the guise of providing the workforce with increased flexibility.

Council leader Mr Stephenson said: “The notice from UNISON failed to state any of grounds for 'call in' described in the constitution and was rejected by the chair and vice-chair of the overview and scrutiny committee following advice from the legal service."