WORKERS have banded together to save their jobs and defend one of Manchester's most beautiful buildings from property developers.
Sixty workers at GMB College, in Whalley Range, will be made redundant on Sunday.
GMB College has helped to train trade union activists and has served as a venue for conferences for many years. But its owners can no longer afford to keep the huge building open and it is likely to be sold to a property developer.
Now workers have formed the National College Co-operative, which is currently in talks with banks and sponsors to secure enough funding to keep the Grade 2-listed property open for public use.
Prime land
The property is set in a conservation area in an up-and-coming suburb, with nine acres of prime land, space for 175 delegates, 80 bedrooms and banqueting facilities. One member of the co-operative, Dave Norton, said: "There's a great need for quality residential and conference space. We believe we have the clients to do it. We want to keep this historic building open without turning it into flats."
Jeremi Zawadzki, a lifelong resident of Whalley Range and civic activist, said: "We believe the co-op, given the opportunity to continue the centre's current work and extend its existing community work even further, can make the building work.
"Whalley Range is one the greenest districts in the whole of the country and the beautiful buildings are a real asset.
"There's concern in the community about the make up of the development that's going on in the area, which is mostly one-bedroom flats.
"There are no new family homes being built and this short-term development is not encouraging any long-term residents. Aside from that there's no other meeting place in the area.
"GMB is flat broke, we recognise that. But we hope the co-op gets the funds to purchase the building, or GMB agrees to lease it to them so it can continue its valuable work.
The increase in learning through the internet, as well as mounting maintenance costs, have forced the sale of the building.
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Its about time that the idlers who are attendance here get the opportunity to do some proper work. A college to promote union activists is fine, but all that these type of people can do is close business down and cause their members to lose their jobs. It about time they had a dose of their own medicine. 19th Century thinking in the 21st Century!! Welcome to the modern age!!
TRY
http://www.nationalcollegecoop.org.uk/
I was shocked and stunned to read the article in MEN. I am a member of the GMB who has attended the College on a training course. The College was not a hotbed traning members of unions to strike but gave them an understanding of issues that affect all working people in the workplace - Health & Safety, Pension issues, equality issues etc. As a member of the GMB I am disgusted that the rank & file have not been consulted over this issue - the first I knew was having read the article in the Newspaper. I cannot believe that I am a member of a union that would sack workers or not have consulted it's members as to the future of the MEMBERS training college. I will seek a Union that encourages learning and truly protects it's members!
Jerry
This closure not only representa the loss of some 60 jobs in the area - which is in itself disgraceful for the trade union movement - but also the loss of an invaluable service for the entire trade union community.
It shou;dn't be allowed to happen!