Building Workers

The first evidence of building workers organising in Fermanagh came from a report in a 1826 edition of a local newspaper. It informed the public that Masons, Bricklayers and Slators of the town and neighbourhood of Enniskillen would from 9th April 1826 work from 6am to 6pm and would not work after these hours without additional payments. Building workers in the town were involved in various disputes over the years including one during World War 2, the story of which will be included in the next volume of Fermanagh’s Labour History. 

The image with this article is a membership card of the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers which belonged to Mark Mc Grath originally from Monea but living at Cross Street, Enniskillen when this card was issued in December 1945. The branch secretary was Eddie Quinn who lived at Cornagrade Terrace in Enniskillen. Later secretaries included Jim Cleary of Derrin Road in the town,Reggie Love of Drumcor Hill, and later when it became part of UCATT, Greg Cleary of Mill Street and Jack Hoey from Derrychara to mention a few.