Postal strike enters third week as union commits to continued industrial action
Dublin, 27 September 1922 – With the Irish postal strike now in its third week, the Irish Labour Party has approached the provisional government with the aim of clearing the logjam and ending the dispute. Representatives of the party have met with President Cosgrave, as well as representatives of the Postal Workers’ Union and the President of the Chamber of Commerce.
These efforts have so far yielded little in the way of progress and the strike action, with all its consequences for the conduct of business and personal affairs, continues. A statement issued by the Irish Postal Workers’ Union makes clear their commitment to ongoing industrial action. ‘There is little change in the complexion of affairs’, the statement read.
‘The work of the strike is being systematically and vigorously pursued despite all efforts of bribery, cajolery, and coercion. The morale of trade unionist [sic] members continues to surpass the highest expectations of the leaders. In no instance has there been any break in the ranks of those on strike. Picketing has been carried on in the several Dublin centres. Reports from the country state there is no truth in the official announcement that services are improving.’
The strike has placed demands on the union to provide for members’ needs, and contributions continue to be made to its strike fund, with more expected to be received in the coming days. To further help their situation, a representative of the Irish Postal Workers Union (IPWU) recently travelled to London and received a payment of £3,000 for the strike fund. He also received a promise of support from Labour sympathisers.
[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]
