Six Fórsa members working at the Donegal Education Centre, who are members of the union’s Education Number 1 branch, are now facing the prospect of being locked out of work, after the decision to relocate their place of work to Letterkenny was confirmed by the Board of Management last week.  

This decision has been taken despite a local campaign which aimed to prevent the relocation and to maintain its current location in Donegal town. 

Members are unable to comply with the instruction to relocate due to the considerable increase in the distance required to travel to work and the lack of viable public transport options. The distance between Donegal town and Letterkenny is significant and regular traffic challenges would only make it even longer.   

Fórsa has raised concerns over the proposed move for a number of months. The centre has operated in Donegal town for over 27 years and the proposal to move will have significant consequences for members, the local community, and businesses in the town. The wider community has also voiced its vehement opposition to the move.  

Fórsa official Dave Sexton said “We have engaged with the management committee of the centre thought the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) conciliation services, however, to date we have not been able to find a resolution that satisfies both parties.  Attempts to find a resolution are ongoing and we are engaging with management to find a way forward that would avoid a scenario where our members are locked out of their employment.” 

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