CATERING staff in schools across West Sussex have had their employment rights "sacrificed" in a row over hot meals, it has been claimed.

West Sussex County Council has been accused of leaving 800 school kitchen staff with the prospect of losing their severance pay and entitlements.

Trade union Unison says kitchen staff from 247 schools will be left heavily out of pocket when the present hot meals contract ends on July 31.

The council had planned to bring in catering firm Gardner Merchant to provide cold snacks in schools and replace current contractors Castle View.

The move would have seen staff receive redundancy payments which Unison estimate would have totalled £800,000.

But Gardner Merchant has now backed out of the move, leaving staff in limbo.

The council is now putting the contract out to tender again, but has changed the terms so that staff will not receive their payments.

Up to 500 workers may lose their jobs because the new contractor will have to provide only sandwiches, drinks, cake and fruit.

Tina Ashley, regional officer for Unison, said: "What the council have done is an absolute disgrace.

"People who have worked in school kitchens for years have been left high and dry."

The Tory-controlled council decided to end thehot meals contract with Castle View to save around £500,000.

Mrs Ashley said Unison may now lobby councillors at the next education committee meeting and encourage its members to demonstrate at county hall.

Elizabeth Davidson, human resources director at Castle View, which has held the schools contract for over four years, said: "Under the new arrangements kitchen staff could be left with no job and no redundancy entitlements.

"It is an absolutely horrendous situation, the worst possible scenario, and it is all just a cost cutting exercise."

Coun Neil Matthewson, chairman of the education committee, said: "Because of the difficulties we were experiencing with the school meals contract, we felt the best thing to do would be to start all over again with a new tender."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.