IN MAY of this year management of the City of Glasgow College made the decision to close the Glasgow Trade Union Education Centre.

The centre, which has been in existence, in one form or another, for over 30 years, has provided a wide range of training opportunities to thousands of shop stewards, union reps and members working in different sectors of the Scottish economy. It is a vital resource for the trade union movement and for the wellbeing of Scotland and its prosperity. 

Over the summer the staff at the college, working with the STUC, put together a proposal that would secure the long-term future of the centre. The plan was based on a realistic expectation of the take-up of courses and student demand. The financial projections to accompany the proposal were sound.