Collective Action and Strikes in Irish History

The Dublin Lockout of 1913 marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Irish labour movement. From 26 August 1913 to 18 January 1914, the city became the epicenter of intense social and economic strife. Low wages and poor working conditions triggered a determined labour struggle, with the Irish Transport and General Workers Union (ITGWU), led by James Larkin, at its heart.

A key figure in this conflict was William Martin Murphy, owner of the Dublin United Tramway Company. Murphy not only dismissed workers suspected of being ITGWU members but also locked them out of their workplaces, sparking a large-scale lockout. The workers affected included those in sectors such as transport, construction, and general labour, with tram workers and dockers hit particularly hard. Employers across these industries followed Murphy’s example, locking out workers who refused to renounce their union affiliations.

Despite efforts by the Dublin Trades Council and the Chamber of Commerce to mediate the conflict through a conciliation board, Murphy remained unyielding in his opposition to the union. By 26 August 1913, he had already dismissed 800 employees, initiating a widespread lockout. In response, the remaining tram workers went on strike, demanding better conditions and union recognition. As president of the Chamber of Commerce, Murphy used his influence to convince 400 employers to join the lockout and force workers to sign anti-union pledges. Strikebreakers were brought in from England, and the police and military were deployed to suppress the striking workers.

The conflict reached a violent peak on 31 August 1913, known as “Bloody Sunday”, when clashes between workers and the police on O’Connell Street left over 400 people injured. The unions responded with further strikes and pickets in support of the locked-out workers, but the situation remained dire. Around 20,000 workers and their families found themselves without income, facing extreme hardship. Despite severe repression, the workers showed remarkable resilience, buoyed by international solidarity. British trade unionists and socialists sent more than £100,000 in food and strike funds, a substantial sum for the time. Still, the worsening conditions forced many families to send their children to England to escape hunger and homelessness.

The Lockout ended in January 1914 without a clear victory for either side, but its impact was profound. It led to the reorganisation of the ITGWU and strengthened the trade union movement across Ireland. Today, the Dublin Lockout holds a significant place in the collective memory of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and continues to resonate within Irish society.

Commemoration of the Dublin Lockout of 1913

Centenary Commemoration Year of the Dublin Lockout in 2013

The Dublin Lockout holds a central place in the Irish trade unions collective memory. In 2013, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) organised numerous events to commemorate the centenary of the Lockout, highlighting its historical significance. These activities demonstrated how the ICTU worked closely with various organisations and institutions to keep the memory of the Lockout alive and underscore its continued relevance a hundred years later.