New book links Lockout with austerity

A NORTHSIDE councillor has written a book which tells the story of the Great Lockout of 1913 and links it to the current recession.

‘Lockout 1913- Austerity 2013’, written by Donaghmede ward councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha (SF), recounts the story of the great struggle between workers led by Jim Larkin and the Irish Transport & General Workers Union and the bosses of Dublin led by William Martin Murphy.

According to Cllr Mac Donncha, who has launched the book at several Northside venues, the book has received “a great response

? from young and old.

“There is huge interest in the history of Dublin and Ireland and especially in the Lockout of 100 years ago,

? he said.

“This book tells the story of how, at that time, 100,000 Dubliners lived in abject slum housing conditions and dire poverty.

“Yet when the bosses asked them to sign a pledge to reject their union, thousands of them refused despite facing even deeper poverty.

“Today the rights won by trade unionists at that time and since are under threat.

?

Cllr Mac Donncha said austerity is pushing down wages, worsening working conditions, eroding social welfare and vital health and education services, as well as causing mass unemployment and emigration.

“The lesson of the Lockout is that ordinary people, with unity and solidarity, can bring about major change if they stand together,

? he added.

‘Lockout 1913 – Austerity 2013’ is available from www.sinnfeinbookshop.com or directly from Cllr Mac Donncha, phone 086-1021945.