Here's something you don't see every day: Microsoft temporary workers are planning a series of peaceful protests, starting this evening, to bring attention to the pay cuts resulting from the company's decision to reduce the amount it pays the firms that employ them.

The protest starts at 6 p.m. at the entrance to the Microsoft campus, at Northeast 40th Street and 156th Avenue Northeast, according to this post on the MSRateCuts.org site, which notes that it's not organizing the protest. The post quotes a message from the organizer.

"As I am sure you are aware Microsoft has put into place an immediate and mandatory 10%+ rate cut that is being passed down to us all through our contract agencies effective now or in the very near future," the message says. "If you feel this is unfair and a breach of contract, as I do, I encourage you not to agree to these new contract terms.  By uniting as valuable people who work at Microsoft we can show our concern and force and alternate course of action."

Citing the bad economy, Microsoft is reducing by 10 percent the amount it pays employment agencies for many workers currently on temporary assignments at the company. The target rate will be reduced by 15 percent for future assignments. Many but not all of the agencies have decided to pass along some or all of the billing reduction on to workers in the form of lower pay.

Check back for coverage of the protest this evening.

Update: Here's our report from the scene.

Earlier: Full text: Microsoft's email on cutbacks for temporary workers

Microsoft slashes rates for temp workers, blaming bad economy

Temp giant volt informs workers it will make Microsoft pay cuts