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Ireland
A timeline overview of trade union history in Ireland, which dates back to the 19th century, and intersects with issues of colonialism, British exploitation, and Irish independence.
Contributed by Nico Kaschitzki (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)
19th Century
1840s
The establishment of the Regular Trades Association marked one of the first union-like organizations in Ireland.
1860s
The United Trades Association forms, a precursor to modern trade union movements,
1894
The Irish Trade Union Congress (ITUC) is founded in Dublin, primarily composed of artisans from the Irish branches of British unions. John Simmons was appointed the first secretary.
Early 20th Century
1909
The Irish Transport and General Workers Union (ITGWU) was founded by James Larkin after splitting with the National Union of Dock Labourers. It quickly grew to become Ireland’s largest trade union.
1910
The ITGWU became affiliated with the Irish Trades Union Congress (ITUC).
1911
Membership of the ITGWU had grown to 5,000; James Connolly, a leading trade unionist, socialist, and Irish Republican was appointed Belfast organiser.
1912
James Connolly advocated for the establishment of a distinct, independent Labour Party. This development led to the eventual renaming of the ITUC as the Irish Labour Party and Trade Union Congress (ILPTUC).
1913
The Dublin Lockout – a significant industrial dispute led by the ITGWU against Dublin employers, which became a national turning point in the labour movement. Thousands of workers went on strike to demand better working conditions and wages.
1914
The ITGWU's founder, James "Big Jim" Larkin, traveled to the U.S. to raise funds for the labour organization and other causes; James Connolly took over as leader.
1916
After the Easter Rising against British rule over Ireland, James Connolly was among the Republican leaders executed. Thomas Foran, T.D. Daly, and William O’Brien helped the ITGWU rebuild from the bloodshed.
1919
At this time, the ITGWU had 350 branches and 100,000 members, becoming Ireland’s largest trade union.
1923
"Big Jim" Larkin leaves the ITGWU to form the Workers Union of Ireland, taking 40,000 ITGWU members with him.
1940-1959
1945
As the rest of the world saw the end of the Second World War, another split within the trade union movement led to the creation of the Congress of Irish Unions (CIU).
1956
The Provisional United Trade Union Organisation (PUTUO) was founded, contributing to the reunification of the trade unions.
1959
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) was officially established on 11 February, with John Conroy becoming its first president. The breach between Larkin and ITGWU leader William O’Brien ended with the unification of the two congresses.
1960-1979
1964
The Northern Ireland Committee was officially recognised by the Northern Ireland government.
1966
The ICTU organised the supply of food and other provisions for striking workers at the Dundalk Engineering Works.
1969
The conflict in Northern Ireland, known as "the Troubles" began with efforts by the Protestant-Unionist Northern Irish government to quell protests from the Northern Irish Catholic minority, splling into decades of violence over religious and poltical affiliations. The Northern Ireland Committee adopted an official anti-sectarian stance to keep the conflict away from workplaces.
1970s
The 1970s were a a period of high inflation around the globe, and a rise in austerity measures and neoliberal policies. The Dublin Council of Trade Unions organized several protests, mobilising large crowds.
1980-2009
1987
The ICTU introduces its first social partnership agreement, known as the Programme for National Recovery.
1990
The ITGWU and FWUI dissolve, forming the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU), which remains Ireland's largest trade union, and is organized along industrial lines. As of 2025, membership is over 200,000.
1990s
Throughout the decade, centralised wage agreements continued, and the process of union consolidation advanced further.
2001
The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act was passed, supporting the legal struggle for union recognition.
2007
The Irish Supreme Court rules in favour of Ryanair during an ongoing dispute, a major blow to Irish unions and their efforts to combat the country's largest corporations.
Today
Today, the ICTU comprises 43 independent member unions, boasting over 600,000 members in the Republic of Ireland, and an additional 230,000 in Northern Island. SIPTU remains the largest of the ICTU's member unions, representing approximately one-third of the total membership.