Occupation follows snap closure leaving teachers owed month’s wages

Unite expresses support for workers’ decision

Trade union Unite, which represents English Language Teachers, this evening (Monday 3 December) expressed support and understanding for the decision by teachers employed by Grafton College to occupy the college’s premises following snap closure of the business last Friday leaving teachers owed a month’s wages.  Unite represents a majority of the teachers involved.

This evening the teachers occupied the Portobello premises demanding that Education and Skills Minister Joe McHugh visit the college and speak to the teachers.  They are also demanding that the Qualification and Quality Assurance bill designed to regulate the sector, which is currently making its way through the Oireachtas, be fast-tracked and amended to include minimum standards of employment for teachers, and that the owner of the college, Saeed Rehman, engage with them regarding the monies owed.

Expressing support for the teachers and sympathy with the anger and frustration which resulted in the occupation, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer Richie Browne this evening pointed out that Grafton College is just one in a series of colleges which have closed overnight leaving both teachers and students high and dry.