In Ireland, trade unions have been required to hold a license since the introduction of the Trade Union Act in 1941. This legislation, though presented as regulatory, was primarily intended to limit the number of trade unions. To obtain a license, unions were required to deposit significant sums in the High Court, effectively marginalizing smaller organizations. Many were forced to merge, dissolve, or continue operating as unlicensed unions.
One such smaller organization, the Cork Operative Butchers Society (COBS), possessed sufficient funds to meet the licensing requirements. Originally founded in 1916 as the Cork Journeyman Butchers Society, it was renamed in 1934 and established its headquarters at 55 North Main Street, Cork, where it remains today as part of the Independent Workers Union.
Solidarity and Achievements
By 1934, butchers worked a five-and-a-half-day week, with a half-day on Wednesdays and no work on Sundays, reflecting Ireland’s predominantly Christian traditions. Union members had also secured nearly a full week of holidays, taken in the summer. However, they sought to extend this to a continuous full week. When their collective request was denied, the union decided to take action.
Jim Walsh, a member of COBS, was the first to claim the full week of holidays, including Saturday, despite his employer, O’Flynn Brothers of Patrick Street, refusing to honor it. Upon his return, Walsh’s wages were docked for the disputed Saturday. In response, the union declared a strike.
The strike, lasting six weeks, relied on the solidarity of union members, who agreed to a special levy to support their striking colleagues. This financial backing allowed the workers to endure the dispute. The employers, unable to sustain the additional workload, conceded. The butchers won the right to a full week of holidays, showcasing the power of labor solidarity.
This victory demonstrated that the collective withdrawal of labor, combined with union solidarity, could force employers to meet reasonable demands.
Economies of Scale
The debate over whether larger unions are more effective than smaller ones has long divided trade unionists. Proponents argue that mergers create stronger organizations, while critics fear large unions prioritize internal bureaucracy over worker advocacy.
By the mid-1990s, rising costs and limited resources compelled COBS to consider merging with a larger union. The Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (AT&GWU), which opposed national wage agreements in favor of workplace-level bargaining, seemed an ideal partner.
In 1996, COBS members joined AT&GWU while retaining control of their trade union license. The partnership ensured financial stability and allowed AT&GWU to establish an office in Cork. However, internal disputes within AT&GWU, including the controversial dismissal of its Ireland secretary, Mick O’Reilly, strained relations. Discontent with these developments led the butchers to end the partnership and revert to their independent status as COBS.
Formation of the Independent Workers Union
Following the success of recruitment campaigns under AT&GWU, COBS found itself with obligations to new members and growing interest from other workers. Recognizing the potential, the society decided to transform into a general union, paving the way for the formation of the Independent Workers Union (IWU).
Despite initial resistance from other unions and government departments, the IWU was officially registered after a two-year process. Run largely on a voluntary basis, the IWU established its head office in Cork, with additional offices in Dublin and Armagh.
Today, the IWU continues to champion workers’ rights, building on its legacy of solidarity and resilience.