Unison claim Nottinghamshire protest march blocked
A union has accused Rushcliffe Borough Council of blocking attempts to hold a protest over job cuts.
Unison got permission from police for the march against county council plans to axe up to 3,000 posts.
But it has claimed the borough council has refused permission for it to start on council-owned land as it supported the county council's policies.
Rushcliffe said it supported the right to protest but it did not want its property used in a political dispute.
The union had planned to gather on land off Bridgford Road in West Bridgford, close to County Hall, on 24 February.
Mike Scott, from Unison, claimed that as both councils were Conservative controlled, Rushcliffe had taken a political decision to support the neighbouring authority.
He added: "It is such a childish and petulant decision - to be honest it is quite pathetic.
"No other council in Nottinghamshire would have, or has in the past, made the same sort of decisions."
Unison said it would not look for a new location.
Rushcliffe Borough Council denied it wanted to stop the march.
In a statement it said: "We recognise the rights of Unison members to peacefully demonstrate and voice their concerns.
"But we do not want to be drawn into a political dispute - and as this would be a political demonstration, it is not considered appropriate to allow the park to be used for that purpose."