The effects of the 1913 Lockout are still evident in Irish society, 100 years after the great struggle between employers and trade unionists.

Although the employers, led by the owner of the Irish Independent William Martin Murphy, failed in their objective of destroying the ITGWU the outcome of the Lockout allowed them, along with the Catholic Church and Home Rule political establishment, to set the conservative nature of the Irish State that was founded less than ten years later.

The agenda that emerged dominant after the Lockout, which places business interests above the common good, has resulted in the Irish State failing to reach its potential. As an economic model it continues to place the interests of a minority over the needs and aspirations of the majority, a fact starkly illustrated by this State’s inadequate response to the current crisis.

However, the trade union movement did survive the attack of 1913. The vision of that great generation of working class leaders of the early 20th century remains relevant. It is the duty of trade unionists to ensure the movement can once again mount a challenge to those forces that through narrowness of vision and greed are still failing our people.

Trade unions remain the only organisations capable of providing workers with an independent voice and addressing the power imbalance with employers. Countries with high levels of union density and collective bargaining rights tend to be more equal and have more comprehensive welfare systems.

It is still the case, as James Larkin believed, that by building the strength of the union you are also building a better society.