The values of solidarity and combating the greed of a few that inspired the American trade union activist Mother Jones are as relevant in her native Ireland today as they were when she fought for workers’ rights in the US a century ago, according to a leading Irish trade unionist.
Siptu general secretary Joe O’Flynn said that Mother Jones, who was born Mary Harris in Cork in 1837, had shown how the human spirit could prevail against the worst adversity and how powerful workers could be when organised to win respect and dignity for all.
“This generation and generations to come in Ireland are paying a very heavy price for the greed of a chosen few at the top who have virtually bankrupted this country – vital public services are affected, people have lost their livelihoods and in some cases even their homes,” he said.
Mr O’Flynn was speaking in Cork at the opening of a series of lectures on Mother Jones who was last night honoured in her native city when a plaque was unveiled in her memory on John Redmond Street near Shandon, where she was born.
