The incoming SIPTU Deputy General Secretary for the Public Sector, John King, has renewed his union’s call for South Dublin County Council to intervene in a dispute which has resulted in a sit-in at Brookfield Youth and Community Centre (BYCC) during a visit to the facility in Tallaght, county Dublin today (Friday, 6th October). John King said: “The closure of this centre has resulted directly in the loss of five jobs, as well as several TUS and Jobs Initiative positions. It has also had a hugely negative impact on the surrounding local community, which fought for over 20 years to have the centre built. “South Dublin County Council owns the building and as an interim measure must intervene in the dispute to maintain the facility’s operation until a new board of management is put in place. The Centre provides vital community services and facilities to young people in the local area. Tallaght Youth Service and the Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education Training Board are anchor tenants in the building. They provide resources, training, and other programmes with BYCC staff facilitating and supporting them. Between them the centre’s five staff have 50 years’ experience helping deliver community services.” He added: “These workers are SIPTU members who are committed to doing the best they can for their local community. Visiting them today I assured them that SIPTU members across the country are united behind them in their demand that the centre is reopened and that job security is provided to its staff.” John King was elected to the position of SIPTU Deputy General Secretary for the Public Sector at the union’s conference in Cork earlier this week.
SIPTU Deputy General Secretary visits Brookfield Youth and Community Centre
