Dustmen and maintenance workers may strike in protest overt proposed council cuts.

Hastings Borough Council is planning to cut its parks and open-spaces budget by more than £100,000 as part of a best-value review.

The cuts will affect employees of Onyx UK, who carry out maintenance work in the town's parks and council-run facilities such as the golf course, cricket pitches and bowling greens.

Gary Smith, regional organiser for the GMB union, which represents the Onyx employees, fears up to 13 people could be made redundant.

The union has called for an emergency meeting this Friday when the company's 100 Hastings employees, including scores of dustmen and street cleaners, will decide whether to take industrial action.

Members are angry they were not consulted about the proposed cuts and say their lack of involvement could set a dangerous precedent for the future.

The town's dustmen and street cleaners fear they too may face redundancies without being consulted by the council.

Mr Smith said: "This process has been a kick in the teeth for our members, who have served the community with pride for many years. It seems the council actually places no value on our members' contributions. Council officers stand accused of arrogance, treating working people with contempt and presiding over a debate which has so far been completely misinformed."

He said the lack of consultation by the council had already seriously undermined its relationship with the workers.