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Fingerprint scanners were placed inside council offices |
Fingerprinting scheme proves a touchy subject
Union wins apology over ‘blunder’
UNION chiefs have won an apology from the chief executive of Westminster Council after fingerprint scanners were installed in council buildings.
The controversial devices, requiring council staff in six buildings across Westminster to have their fingerprints scanned when “clocking in” for work, were introduced without any consultation.
Council chief executive Mike More this week apologised to Westminster Unison for not consulting, but insisted the scanners would stay.
The council claims the devices are supposed to be “secure door entry” – but as pictures released this week show, they are positioned on the inside of the offices.
“It is a complete blunder,” said Phil Vaughan, Westminster Unison’s branch secretary.
He added: “It is now clear that these machines are part of a Big Brother policy to monitor staff, and have nothing to do with their security or the safety. There was nothing wrong with the old system, where you swiped a card to enter the office.
Westminster Unison members are planning a “mass non co-operation” stand against the system after the council’s human resources director Graham White conceded staff could not be legally forced to provide fingerprints.
Stephen Higgins, Westminster Unison assistant branch secretary, added: “The city council have got to physically get our fingerprints from us.
“We believe that hundreds of our members will refuse to provide their fingerprints, rendering the system useless.”
Dean Ingledew, director of community protection, said: “We’ve been happy to set the record straight with the union, and we fully accept staff should have been consulted before we tested any of the technology.
“No final decision has been made on these scanners and we are not saying this scheme will definitely go ahead.”
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