Why organised labour is at a strategic crossroads

For Irish trade unionism, 2013 is a landmark year. The centenary of the 1913 lockout , which was perhaps the most important event in the movement’s history, will be celebrated in August writes Dan O’Brien, Economics Editor in today’s Irish Times (January 18th, 2013).

Activists to this day look back on the summer of that year as their finest hour. Given that centenary, the ongoing involvement of unions in talks to replace the Croke Park agreement, and this newspaper’s series on the workplace this week, there may never be a better moment to consider the past, present and future of organised labour. (more…)

Jim Larkin – Messenger of Peace

Some interesting correspondence surrounding Jim Larkin’s release from Sing Sing prison in New York state, where he was serving five years for sedition, has been found in the National Archives. It is between the British Consulate General in the US and the new Free State government in 1923 as the Civil War was drawing to a close. Larkin was given an unconditional pardon by the Democratic Governor of New York, Al Smith on January 17th, 1923, just over a fortnight after Smith’s inauguration and this reflected the widespread public belief in the US that the legendary Labour leader had been unjustly convicted.

Larkin had denounced the Treaty from prison and the British authorities were concerned that he would return to Ireland and throw his still considerable influence behind the republican cause in Ireland. The Consulate General’s office reported him as appealing at an ‘Irish’ meeting in Boston for ‘volunteers to fight against the present Irish government, along with money which would be used to buy supplies for “relief work”’. The same report said de Valera attended the meeting, which does somewhat undermine its credibility, given that ‘Dev’ was still on the run in Ireland.

Ironically Larkin arrived in Ireland just five hours after the unilateral ceasefire by the Republican forces on April 30th, 1923. On his return Larkin spoke out strongly and consistently in favour of peace, much to the chagrin of many Republicans. He said that the questions of the day should be decided ‘with reason and logic, for the sword, the bayonet and the rifle never proved to be anything but brutality. Force meant that might was right’.

For more information go to http://www.thejournal.ie/james-larkin-deportation-1923-710632-Dec2012/

Our thanks to Cedar Loung Revolution for drawing our attention to this.

We hope to announce a Programme of Events for the Lockout Centenary on January 30th, the anniversary of Jim Larkin’s death, when our website will be relaunched as well

This iconic picture has become associated with 1913 and the Lockout but it was taken in 1923 at one of the meetings where Larkin was urging an end to fratricidal strife

Cork conference on the Cause of Labour – 1913 and Beyond

Cork studies in the Irish revolution

Conference on ‘The cause of Labour: 1913 and beyond’

Proposals for papers of up to 20 minutes duration are invited for the second conference in the series ‘Cork studies in the Irish revolution’, on the subject of the Dublin lockout of 1913, and the role of labour during the revolutionary decade in modern Irish history (1912-23), which is to be held in University College Cork, Ireland, on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 March, 2013.

Papers may deal with any aspect of the subject.  Proposals from all disciplines are welcome in order to encourage discussion of the subject from as many angles as possible. Postgraduate students are particularly encouraged to offer papers. (more…)

East Wall History Festival November 10th to 21st, 2012

The Tapestry Video

Liberty Hall was packed for the launch of the Tapestry Project by the President, Michael D Higgins, on November 6th.

If you want to find out more about this unique collaborative venture by artists, community activists, trade unionists, schools, art and craft groups and prisoners in Limerick Jail click on Link below:

http://player.vimeo.com/video/53001139?badge=0

President Launches 1913 Tapestry Project

The President, Michael D Higgins, launched the 1913 Lockout Tapestry Project this afternoon (Tuesday 6th November) in Liberty Hall, Dublin.

The Tapestry Project is an ambitious, large-scale, collaborative visual arts project to commemorate the centenary of the 1913 Lockout.

At the launch, President Higgins, said: “It is through the power of collective action that the workers of the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union sought to establish their right to organise to secure a better deal for the ordinary workers of Dublin, and it is very fitting that it is through collaboration that they are being remembered.”

He added: “This tapestry project is a rich symbol of how a new living community of voluntary groups, trade unions, colleges, schools and volunteers can actively participate in reclaiming and understanding the past rather than accepting traditional orthodoxies. Ní neart go cur le chéile – we are stronger together than separated. The evidence will be displayed by this wonderful project which shows just what can be done when many people come together, each to play their own part in a greater project.

President Higgins said that the 1913 Lockout centenary had a special place in the decade of upcoming anniversaries of seminal events in Irish history.

“In this case, the conflict was not with a dominant colonial power with whom we had shared a troubled history. The perceived enemy was within. The 1913 Lockout has a different emphasis to other upcoming centenaries in that it was primarily a class based struggle between labour and capitalism.”

Following his speech in the Liberty Hall Theatre the SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor, presented President Higgins with a silver union badge to acknowledge his life-long commitment to the values of solidarity and equality.

It is planned to complete the Tapestry Project in time for the centenary of the beginning of the Lockout in August 2013.

Artists, Cathy Henderson and Robert Ballagh, have been commissioned by SIPTU and the National College of Art and Design to create a visual narrative of over 30 panels. The panels will be laid out in a tapestry consisting of multi-media textile pieces sewn and embroidered by volunteers.

President Michael D Higgins with Volunteers at the launch and one of the Panels they are working on

Knitting and Stitching Show features Bloody Sunday

The Knitting and Stitching Show in the RDS from November 1st to 4th sounds like an unlikely place to find Labour History but it features a Double Panel from the 1913 Lockout Tapestry Project that will be officially launched by the President, Michael D Higgins, in Liberty Hall at 2.30pm next Tuesday (November 6th).

The Tapestry, which is being designed by artists Cathy Henderson and Robert Ballagh, is being produced by Volunteers from a wide range of community groups, trade unionist activists, the arts and crafts sector, schools and the inmates of Limerick Prison. The emphasis is on participation in reclaiming and understanding the past rather than accepting traditional orthodoxies. More Volunteers always welcome. We operate out of Tara House in Tara Street, Dublin, (beside Tara Street Dart station). Contact padraigyeates@gmail.com or brendanbeard@eircom.net for more information.

Section of Panel

Book on Irish Socialist Republicanism – Launch at Labour History Museum

Digging the Monto

Digging the Monto:
An archaeology of tenement life and the 1913 Lockout

25 October – 10 November 2012

Exhibition Open 10am 5pm Daily (closed Sundays)

 

Public Lecture: The 1913 Tapestry Project

Robert Ballagh and Cathy Henderson are giving a Public Lecture on ‘The 1913 Tapestry Project’

On: Sunday 14 October 2012, 3pm

Introduction: Padraig Yeates.

This is an ambitious community project commemorating the 1913 Lockout

Admission is free and, who onows, you might want to get involved yourself!

Early arrival is recommended as places are limited.

DON’T BE LATE!