SIPTU representatives have demanded an immediate meeting with the Board of Management of G&K (Gurranbraher and Knocknaheeney) Community Training Centre on the north side of Cork city, following its shock decision to close the facility without prior notice.

On their arrival at work on Tuesday, 25th February, staff were called to a meeting at 10.00 a.m. to be informed that the Training Centre was 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.

Following a meeting of members on Wednesday, 26th February, SIPTU, which represents staff employed in Administration and Instructor grades at the Centre, has requested an urgent meeting with the Board of Management.

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.