THE Church of Scotland has moved to reassure staff over pension cuts after sending a letter to workers warning they faced being sacked and re-hired if they didn't agree to new contribution terms.

The Kirk came under fire for heavy handed tactics after the letter came through more than 220 workers' doors last week as staff had been hoping for good news following their last bid against the cuts.

The workers' request for a pay rise to offset their annual losses were rejected unfairly, they claim.

Also rejected was a plea for a separate deal for those close to retirement who think they might lose out.

Angus Macpherson, convener of the committee responsible, emphasised the limitations of Church finances in response.

He said yesterday: "We have no wish to lose any member of staff and believe in reality this will not happen but strictly speaking under current employment law, if employees choose to decline revised terms and conditions after statutory consultation and due notice of the change has been served, their current employment contract is deemed to have come to an end. This is the same background to pension consultations which most organisations have carried out in recent years."

A statement went on: "Whilst the committee fully understood the principle behind this request, it was unanimously agreed that it could not be supported. Pay rises can only be determined annually, in negotiation with Unite, when Church budgets have been agreed by the General Assembly ... The 2.5% figure used for personal illustrations was based on assumptions set out in regulations and by the Financial Conduct Authority and is consistent with those used by pension providers for Statutory Money Purchase Illustrations provided annually to holders of pension accounts.

"It should not be seen as indicating any future commitment or affordability."

The original 9% employee contribution without the worker having to top it up was upped by the Kirk, to 11.5%, he said. Last year the Kirk paid 21% of their annual salary to the pensions of workers responsible for law, human resources and other departments.

Church officials said they are trying to tackle a £30 million deficit which could not sustain this level of contribution.

The staff at the Kirk's Edinburgh headquarters wanted a better compromise after being offered a slight increase but were told last week that following the consultation the Church has legal rights to introduce its changes.

Mr Macpherson added yesterday: "We began talking to staff and the union Unite about the pension issue almost a year ago, put proposals to them earlier this year complied with statutory requirements and reported proposals to the Church's General Assembly in May."

He had earlier had written to staff saying that if they failed to accept the new terms, "I shall write to you... giving due contractual notice that you employment under existing terms and conditions will end with effect from December 31 2013". It added that employment would continue under revised terms.