SIPTU members and their union representative are to meet tomorrow, (Wednesday 26th February), following the shock announcement of the closure of the G&K (Gurranbraher and Knocknaheeney) Community Training Centre on the north side of Cork city. On their arrival at work staff were called to a meeting at 10.00 a.m. this morning (Tuesday 25th February), to be informed that the Training Centre is to close with immediate effect. The Board of Management of the Training Centre read a statement to staff informing them of its decision to close the Centre immediately. SIPTU, which represents staff employed in Administration and Instructor grades at the Centre, has expressed extreme disappointment at the closure and condemned the manner in which it was communicated to staff. Staff received no prior notification on the decision to close nor were they consulted in any way on the decision and, as a consequence, all of the options in relation to the retention of the service could not be explored. Following the announcement of the closure, trainees were transferred to another location and staff, some of whom have almost 30 years service, were asked to leave the building immediately. “This was particularly abhorrent given that staff had given long and dedicated service to the community over many years. The treatment of the staff was unacceptable and appalling,” SIPTU Sector Organiser, Eddie Mullins said. The G&K Centre Centre, which delivered FETAC training to early school leavers and young people from the local communities has been in operation since 1982 and is governed by a Voluntary Board of Management. It was funded through FÁS and the Department of Social Protection and has a core staff of seven. SIPTU is now in the process of securing the full entitlements for staff including minimum notice payments and nationally negotiated redundancy entitlements.
SIPTU members appalled at sudden closure of G&K training centre on Cork’s north side
