Uniting Ireland – Uniting Workers
By Anne Speed
It was 66 years ago that trade unions organising on the island of Ireland reunited after almost 15 years apart. Economic prospects for workers across the island were dismal, both North and South, living standards were poor and expectations of a better life were rising. The 1950s was truly a dreadful decade, with emigration and poverty at record levels. British administration of the 6 Counties, delivered through the political consolidation of unionism, meant deepening discrimination and unemployment for catholic workers. Trade unionists, influenced by the role of syndicalist James Larkin or socialist James Connolly, recognised the need to galvanise the trade union organisation. There was common cause in fighting for the needs of working people. There was however no common cause in challenging partition.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions was reborn in 1959, but this time with a Northern Ireland Committee (NIC) constituted to engage with the political administration of the 6 Counties. Over the 66 years since, this has meant enduring periods of direct rule, unionist dominated local governance and, currently, a devolved power sharing government. When the demand for civil rights erupted in the 1960s, strong instincts to challenge Partition were constrained by the imperative to maintain the corporate unity of trade union structures. Many would argue that this was the only path to take. However, it could equally be argued that it was the time to put the democratic demand, the right of the Irish people to accept or reject partition. That question, never put before the people across the island, remains a key question and a key democratic demand.
In the North, years of nationalist exclusion through employment and other forms of sectarian discrimination have been diluted or removed by fair employment legislation and the Good Friday Agreement. Trade unions have adapted to the changing political environment. But our ability to influence economic resilience across the 6 Counties remains intractably constrained by the overarching fact of the political-economic union within the British system. In the South while development of state infrastructure and resources began seriously during the Lemass government, subsequent governments have followed strategies of reliance on foreign direct investment and a turn to acceptance of the predominant interests of European capitalism. This is how we have landed in the lap of European expansionists who are demanding the ending of our military neutrality.
So what now for trade unions? There can be no doubt that as the largest civic society organisation across the island of Ireland with 800,000 members and 44 affiliated unions to Congress, the leaders of workers’ economic interests have an essential role in defining how these are best delivered. While we gather in the first instance to achieve decent jobs and pay, our horizons have expanded to seek social justice, equality and a rights based society to live in. That surely must include the right to decide on how we organise our politics and political structures across the island. This is not a question that we should shy away from.
This is why Motion 7 on the Good Friday Agreement, adopted at the 2021 ICTU delegate conference is so important. It established a mandate and also a responsibility of trade union leaders to engage with the developing debate on a new and united Ireland. The welcome focus on an all island and alternative economic model will implicitly raise questions on how we will realise implementation of that model within partitioned political governance.
This will be an easier debate for some more so than others. Workers with unionist political convictions and allegiances are furthest from accepting new political governance on the island of Ireland. There is no doubt that there is an underlying frustration and demoralisation among many who have for decades believed in the political union with Britain. There is also a growing realisation that socialist ideals will never be delivered through Westminster, whether Tories or Labour are undemocratically installed. The task for trade unionists now is to find ways to engage with these workers.
Ireland’s Future has taken on the task of engaging with civic society. Inevitably those listening are predominantly from the nationalist and republican communities. There are efforts underway to attract unionist interest. There is a particular role for trade unions and ICTU’s Motion 7 in 2021 allows trade union leaders and activists to participate in these interactions, but we have not done so to any great extent. This is an important step towards engaging with unionist workers.
Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland has held a series of informative and well attended Peoples Assemblies and sectoral engagements in Ireland and the USA and Canada. The SDLP’s New Ireland Commission is also contributing to the debate on the new Ireland.
There is an opportunity for all trade unions North and South, as we develop discussion on an alternative economic model, to invite viewpoints including from external contributors, on how we can politically achieve the best outcomes. These discussions, led by the trade unions, have real potential to attract and encourage unionist workers’ attention and will be important occasions where nonsectarian debate can be facilitated.
We have not yet utilised the capacity of the North/South bodies of the Good Friday Agreement to deepen a dialogue with the trade unions and unionist workers, in particular around their all island initiatives and strategies. These bodies should be encouraged to hold public forums where their all island projects can be made more visible and relevant.
The Shared Island Unit, within the jurisdiction of the department of the Taoiseach, is an important resource for funding and dialogue. NIC-ICTU could invite the Unit to discuss how the dialogue and resources can be encouraged and developed. Engagements should include the lay leaders from sectors of the economy and workforces.
The panel of experienced trade unionists from across the island, with different political allegiances, who are committed to a new and united Ireland are important allies. Their willingness and capacity to contribute is an essential ingredient. Further discussion is needed with these allies on future joint work.
In conclusion, our right as a people to decide on continuing partition or not, is a key debate which we must embrace. All that we as workers are living through tells us that trade unions have a duty and a responsibility to lead that debate.
Anne Speed is a senior official within Irish trade union movement. Formerly Head of Equality and Campaigning with SIPTU, she has just finished a 13-year stint with UNISON In the North as Head of Bargaining and Representation. Anne was a member of the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle during the emergence of the peace process.
Learn more about the Trade Unionists For a New and United Ireland
