James Larkin formed the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union (ITGWU) in 1909. It was the first Irish trade union to cater for skilled and unskilled workers.
In 1911 James Connolly was appointed the ITGWU Belfast organiser.
In 1912 Larkin and Connolly formed the Irish Labour Party.
The Dublin Lockout was an ITGWU strike between about 20,000 workers and 300 employers in Dublin from 1913 to 1914 to get better conditions for workers.
James Larkin was arrested at the start of the strike for making an illegal speech from the balcony of the Imperial Hotel, now part of Clery’s on O’Connell St.
The Irish Citizen Army rose out of the great strike.
By Nicole and Lorna
