By Dan Walsh at Wexford town
Mayor of Wexford Cllr Garry Laffan laid a wreath at the 1911 Lockout Memorial at The Faythe, Wexford town, on Friday evening marking the conclusion of the prolonged industrial dispute which lasted for six months 1911-’12.
Mayor Laffan welcomed everybody with a very special mention for those who had travelled the furthest – the members of Georgia Southern University in Savannah.
“Here on May Day, which throughout the world marks the day which celebrates the rights of working people we commemorate the sacrifice made by Wexford people over a hundred years ago,” stated Mayor Laffan.
Phil Ni Sheaghdha, General Secretary of the INMO, advocated for workers’ rights to union membership, fair treatment, and government consideration of their views to promote workplace fairness.
There was also a contribution from Michael Wall, Chairman of Wexford Council of Trade Unions.
Davy Hynes from the Lockout Committee delivered historical perspective surrounding the commemoration and the memorial, which was unveiled in 2012. The Faythe sculpture made by the late Peter Hodnett, was unveiled by Uachtaráin na h-Éireann, President Michael D. Higgins to mark the centenary of the Wexford Lockout.
Helen Corish Wylde gave a detailed outline of events surrounding the lockout and recalled that some 5,000 people gathered at The Faythe to celebrate the workers’ victory in the Foundry Workers’ Lockout which has begun the previous August. The main speaker was the IT&GWU Organiser, the great James Connolly who had negotiated the final settlement.
The lockout in Wexford arose not from pay or working conditions but from the ‘right of workers to join the ITGWU’, led by James Larkin which sought to unite skilled and unskilled labourers under one union.
The union first arrived in Wexford with dockworkers in June 1911, and soon after, ironworkers in local foundries joined. The lockout began in August 1911 when a well-known union member was dismissed from Pierce’s Foundry, as employers attempted to stop the ITGWU from gaining a foothold in the area.
On August 10, 1911, Doyle’s Selkar Ironworks initiated a lockout of its employees. In mid-August 1911, Pierce’s Foundry locked out approximately 400 workers. On August 29, 1911, Wexford Engineering implemented a lockout affecting around 200 employees.
Other employers, including Thompson Engineering and the Town Mayor Howard Rowe refused ITGWU members employment.
Over 700 men were out of work, directly impacting 3,000 residents. Police were brought in from surrounding counties and violent clashes occurred. Michael O’Leary, an innocent bystander died from injuries sustained by a baton.
Tara Farrell, Staff Officer, served as the master of ceremonies on behalf of Borough District Manager Anthony Bailey.
Members of the St. Patrick’s Fife & Drum Band assisted Deputy George Lawlor singing ‘Freedom’s Pioneers’ with lyrics by James Connolly and concluded proceedings with Amhrán na bFhiann.
WexfordLocal.com 