Irish Transport and General Workers' Union

Irish Transport and General Workers' Union was a major trade union in Ireland, founded in 1909 by James Larkin and James Connolly. The union played a significant role in the Dublin Lockout of 1913, which involved Dublin United Tramway Company, Jacob's Biscuit Factory, and other major employers in Dublin. The union's early years were marked by conflicts with employers, including the Dublin Employers' Federation, and it received support from other unions, such as the British Trades Union Congress and the American Federation of Labor. The union's activities were also influenced by the Irish Labour Party and the Socialist Party of Ireland.

● History

The Irish Transport and General Workers' Union was formed in 1909, with James Larkin as its first general secretary, and James Connolly as its vice-president. The union's early years were marked by a series of strikes and disputes, including the 1913 Dublin Lockout, which involved over 20,000 workers and lasted for several months. The union received support from other unions, including the National Union of Dock Labourers and the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. The union also had links with the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Sinn Féin party, and many of its members were involved in the 1916 Easter Rising. The union's history was also influenced by the Russian Revolution and the Bolsheviks, and it received support from Vladimir Lenin and the Communist International.

● Structure

The Irish Transport and General Workers' Union was a general union, which meant that it represented workers from a wide range of industries, including transport, manufacturing, and agriculture. The union was organized into branches, which were based in different parts of the country, including Dublin, Cork, and Belfast. The union's national executive committee was responsible for making key decisions, and it was led by a general secretary, who was elected by the union's members. The union was also affiliated to the International Transport Workers' Federation and the Federated Union of Transport and General Workers, and it worked closely with other unions, including the National Union of Railwaymen and the Transport and General Workers' Union.

● Notable Members

The Irish Transport and General Workers' Union had many notable members, including James Larkin, James Connolly, and William O'Brien. Other notable members included Peadar O'Donnell, who was a leading figure in the Republican Congress, and Frank Ryan, who was a prominent Irish republican and socialist. The union also had links with other notable figures, including Éamon de Valera, who was a key figure in the Irish independence movement, and Michael Collins, who was a leading figure in the Irish War of Independence. The union's members were also influenced by the ideas of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Leon Trotsky, and it received support from the Communist Party of Ireland and the Socialist Workers' Party.

● Industrial Action

The Irish Transport and General Workers' Union was involved in many industrial disputes, including the 1913 Dublin Lockout, which was one of the largest and most significant industrial disputes in Irish history. The union also played a key role in the 1923 Irish Farmers' Strike, which involved farmers and agricultural workers from across the country. The union's members were also involved in the 1935 Dublin Bus Strike, which was a major dispute that involved bus drivers and conductors in Dublin. The union's industrial action was often supported by other unions, including the National Union of Seamen and the Amalgamated Engineering Union, and it received backing from the Irish Trades Union Congress and the British Trades Union Congress.

● Merger and Legacy

The Irish Transport and General Workers' Union merged with the Workers' Union of Ireland in 1990 to form the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union. The new union represented workers from a wide range of industries, including healthcare, education, and local government. The legacy of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union can be seen in the many industrial disputes and campaigns that it was involved in, including the 1913 Dublin Lockout and the 1923 Irish Farmers' Strike. The union's influence can also be seen in the development of the Irish labour movement and the Irish trade union movement, and it played a significant role in shaping the country's industrial relations and social policies. The union's history and legacy are still celebrated today by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Labour Party (Ireland), and its members are remembered as pioneers of the Irish labour movement.

Category:Trade unions in Ireland