Irish-American Labor Coalition Records
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Abstract
The Irish-American Labor Council (IALC) was a New York City area organization that resolved to effect material solidarity with the Irish Republican movement in the late 20th-century. As part of their engagement with the peace process in Northern Ireland, the IALC activated local state labor councils around adopting the MacBride Principles, nine fair employment principles for US corporations operating in Northern Ireland. Public sector pension funds were required by state legislation to invest only in companies that abided by the Principles. The organization also revived commemorations of James Connolly, including building several statues of Connolly and creating a banner that was carried in the St. Patrick's Day and Labor Day parade. Similarly, the organization was involved in the restoration of Matilda Tone's grave in Green-wood Cemetery. The Irish-American Labor Coalition was also influential in bringing Gerry Adams to the United States, holding President Bill Clinton accountable to his promise to clear Adams' visa for travel. The Irish-American Labor Coalition Records (dated 1978-2014) consists of memoranda, newsletters, reports, clippings, correspondence, photographs, meeting agendas, pamphlets and other publications, Sinn Féin discussion papers, solidarity statements and press releases, and by-laws and incorporation documents. The collection also documents some of the organization's notable achievements, including the administrative efforts to secure Gerry Adams' visit to the United States, encouraging state labor councils to adopt the MacBride Principles, and reviving commemorations of James Connolly and Matilda Tone.
Historical Note
The Irish-American Labor Council (IALC) was a New York City area organization that resolved to effect material solidarity with the Irish Republican movement in the late 20th-century. John Sweeney from Service Employees International Union (SEIU), John Lawe from Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), William Treacy from the Operating Engineers, and Dan Kane from the Teamsters in particular, were concerned with forming an organization to advance the cause of Irish freedom and unity by enlisting the support of American trade unionists. Joe Jamison had been working as an economist and had a background working with civil rights organizations in Northern Ireland. He was brought onto the newly formed IALC to develop a program of activity. As part of these efforts, the Irish-American Labor Coalition activated local state labor councils around adopting the MacBride Principles, nine fair employment principles for US corporations operating in Northern Ireland. Public sector pension funds were required by state legislation to invest only in companies that abided by the Principles. The organization also revived commemorations of James Connolly, including building several statues of Connolly and creating a banner that was carried in the St. Patrick's Day and Labor Day parade. Similarly, the organization was involved in the restoration of Matilda Tone's grave in Green-wood Cemetery. The Irish-American Labor Coalition was also influential in bringing Gerry Adams to the United States, holding President Bill Clinton accountable to his promise to clear Adams' visa for travel. Adams later cited the importance of the visit and the granting of the visa to the peace process.
Arrangement
This collection has not been arranged by an archivist. The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.
Scope and Contents
The Irish-American Labor Coalition Records (dated 1978-2014) consists of materials created and collected by the IALC in their efforts to pursue more concrete solidarity with the Irish Republican movement. Materials include memoranda, newsletters, reports, clippings, correspondence, photographs, meeting agendas, pamphlets and other publications, Sinn Féin discussion papers, solidarity statements and press releases, and by-laws and incorporation documents. The collection also documents some of the organization's notable achievements, including the administrative efforts to secure Gerry Adams' visit to the United States, encouraging state labor councils to adopt the MacBride Principles, and reviving commemorations of James Connolly and Matilda Tone. Also included are three video recordings of parades and a speech by John Sweeney to the Irish Trade Union Congress. The collection documents the broader context of Irish American engagement with the peace process in Northern Ireland, including the administrative efforts undertaken by smaller organizations that impacted more visible diplomatic interventions.
Subjects
Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use materials in the collection in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Irish-American Labor Coalition Records; AIA 094; box number; folder number or item identifier; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Joe Jamison in April 2025; the accession number associated with this gift is 2025.054.
Audiovisual Access Policies and Procedures
Audiovisual materials have not been preserved and may not be available to researchers. Materials not yet digitized will need to have access copies made before they can be used. To request an access copy, or if you are unsure if an item has been digitized, please contact the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, special.collections@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596 with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. A staff member will respond to you with further information.
Appraisal
Financial records and one duplicate VHS recording were appraised out of the collection prior to acquisition.
About this Guide
Processing Information
At the time of accessioning, materials were rehoused in archival boxes and folders, maintaining the materials' existing order. Materials were described on the collection-level, and inventoried on the folder-level. Video recordings were inventoried at the item-level.
