UNISON members vented their anger at a Devon Partnership NHS Trust board meeting on Tuesday over plans to have their contracts terminated, pay cuts of £4,000 and possible relocation of 110 nurses and support staff employed to care for people with learning difficulties.

A range of proposals was being considered due to a funding reduction of £638,000 by April 1, 2005.

Sam Newman, head of the Learning Disability Service, said: 'Our first prority is to ensure that services for people with learning difficulties are protected.

'It is a regrettable position to be in. We want the best service and the best staff, but we just can't afford to keep funding the trust to the same extent.

'We and the Devon Partnership Trust agree that we now use this money in better ways.'

More than 50 protestors stood outside the meeting room at Langdon Hospital, Dawlish, with large signs showing how they feel about the situation.

Jackie Anderson and Jenny McCaffery have been house carers since 1989 and provide full personal care for five special needs clients.

'I came back from a holiday on November 8 and found a letter from the trust that effectively said I was going to have a pay cut,' said Mrs Anderson. 'I was gutted. The first thing I did was speak to our acting manager who told me to freeze my pension right away.

Mrs McCaffery said: 'I was off sick at the time and when I opened the letter it made me feel even worse. We have been with the clients for years. They know us, we know them, and their parents are concerned as well. We are like family.'

A carer who works in Windsor Drive, Langdon, and who wishes to remain nameless said: 'I read I was going to lose money in a newspaper a couple of weeks ago and that made me angry. The news devastated me. Our workload has increased over the years and instead of giving us more money, they want to take it away! It's disgraceful.

Martha McCallen, whose daughter is looked after by Mrs Anderson and Mrs McCaffery said: 'I feel disgusted. My daughter loves the staff and I think it would be wrong if they go somewhere else. I'm sick to death with cutbacks as it seriously affects the client as well.'

Just before the meeting started, Unison joint branch secretary, Jim Clawson, came with some good news. 'I have been speaking with the chief executive of the Trust and she has given me her assurance that the option of reducing our pay will not be considered,' he said. 'I understand that negotiations will take place and a fast track re-deployment option into other suitable alternative jobs will be considered. This option will not lose anyone any money.'

Chief executive of the trust, Valerie Howell said: 'I must stress that the consultation period is still under way. The termination of contracts is a very extreme course of action to take and is not one that I would be keen to support or recommend.'

We have to make the most of our budget. It's not an easy thing to do and the last thing we want to do is disadvantage people.'

Further meetings are to be held to discuss what steps to take next.