UNISON, the largest public sector union in the UK, has lodged a formal dispute with Exeter City Council over the employer's cost saving measures.
The council is currently consulting the union over various measures designed to redesign the council and cut staff numbers.
Staff at the local branch of UNISON said they are becoming "increasingly concerned" over issues regarding the redundancy process.
They claim that its members employed at the council have approached them and are "exasperated at management's position, refusing to grant voluntary redundancy for those that want it, and simultaneously contriving compulsory redundancy for those that want to stay in the same department."
Regional Organiser for UNISON, Chris Musgrave said: "Exeter City Council's behaviour really is extraordinary. UNISON works with neighbouring council's really constructively to get the best value for money in Local Government but Exeter just doesn't want to engage positively.
"Our members have a growing sense of anger and frustration at the council's refusal to operate their own policies fairly and consistently. Our reps on the ground are clear that the council's approach to redundancy is 'if your face fits'.
"UNISON has lodged individual complaints on behalf of members with legitimate concerns. The council is currently refusing to hear the complaints and has sent members home, backfilling them with expensive agency staff, while continuing to pay these members.
"We feel we've had no alternative other than to lodge this dispute. We hope the council will call a halt to the process and engage constructively with UNISON to avoid the necessity of legal challenge".
No-one from Exeter City Council was available to comment.
