Union asks members to 'boycott' poll count

A major union has come under fire for offering Cannock Chase Council workers cash to 'boycott' this week's election counts.

Branded "completely inappropriate" by the council, Unison offered members £50 each to not count votes on Thursday.

Council workers are paid more than £150 for working at local polling stations on election days but Unison asked them to stay away as part of an ongoing dispute with Cannock Chase Council.

Unison is understood to be funding the £50 payouts through a hardship fund as part of work-to-rule action it has been promoting since March.

The action stems from an ongoing row over a deal in 2005 where Unison agreed to give up holiday days in exchange for payment protection for workers.

Neil Stanley, leader of the council, said: "I wonder what the other Unison members will think.

"This really is a matter for the returning officer but I think Unison are getting rather desperate in some of their actions.

"There is a waiting list for people to do this and I would suggest those who do opt out this year go to the back of the list for the next time."

The move also sparked angry comments from Cannock Chase Council's returning officer and chief executive, Stephen Brown.

A statement from Cannock Chase Council said people working on the elections were employed by Mr Brown as returning officer and not by the council, with Mr Brown saying Unison's actions were "completely inappropriate".

The statement stated that after discussions, Unison had pledged that anyone already committed to working on the elections will not be entitled to the £50 payments if they now decide to withdraw.

"It added that to date no one had indicated they intended to withdraw.

Mr Brown added: "I remain committed to finding a solution to the current dispute."