Industrial action at Fás centres across Dublin is set to escalate in the coming weeks as part of a continuing row over decentralisation.
Following yesterday's "communications black out", when some 290 staff in six Dublin centres refused to handle fax, phone or e-mails, Siptu committed to holding a series of stoppages over the coming weeks.
On May 18th, a half-day stoppage will be held at the authority's six centres, followed by a full-day stoppage on May 23rd at the Baggot Street offices and at four other locations on May 30th.
"On May 24th, we are to hold a lunchtime protest outside Minister Parlon's office on St Stephen's Green and we are asking all State agencies that Siptu represents to attend," said Greg Ennis, Siptu Fás branch organiser.
The series of protests centres on proposals to transfer 400 Fás employees to Birr in Co Offaly.
In 2004, when applications were initially being accepted only six people volunteered to move from Dublin to Offaly, Mr Ennis said. Although that number has since increased to 50, he claims that 30 applications are subject to promotion. "Fás is the most decentralised organisation out there, but members in Dublin are being denied career progression and promotion.
"A number of our people have taken up promotions on the basis they don't expect they will ever have to go to Birr. A number of people have turned down promotion on the basis that they don't want to move to Birr," he said.
The "strike committee" is due to meet on May 31st to decide if industrial action should be escalated to take effect on training centres countrywide.