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 Patrick
A.Walsh
by
Imelda and Francis Murphy
By
signing in 1989 the "Project Labor Agreement," Pat Walsh
committed Local 223 of Laborers International Union of North America
to its provisions, including that "there shall be no strikes,
picketing, work stoppages, slowdowns or other disruptive activity
for any reason by the Unions or employees against any Contractor
covered under the Agreement" And a reciprocal promise was obtained
that "there shall be no lockout by the Contractor."
Born
in Callowfeenish, Carna in Co. Galway in 1922, the eldest of 13
children, Pat rose to become one of Boston's most prominent labour
leaders in the last quarter of the 20th century.
He
arrived in New York City by boat from Cobh, Co. Cork, on Easter
Sunday 1949. He didn't know anyone in the city and relocated to
Boston where he had many friends from home. He met and married Nappy
Feeney of Spideal, Co. Galway, in 1953. Work was tight in Boston,
but he did the rounds until eventually he was employed as a longshoreman
in the docks.
In
1959, he was elected Vice President of Local 223 and President in
1960, and became Business Manager in 1980. He served in that office
until his retirement in 1992. Attending his testimonial Dinner in
1992, along with a host of admirers were the Governor, the Mayor
Of Boston and two Congressmen.
A no
strike, no lockout provision was important to his labourers as well
as the Project, say's Pat. He knew that the scope of the project
demanded reliability from labour and would provide steady year-round
employment for his men and women.
Pat
was a part of the labour negotiations from the start to finish over
the course of the months it took to hammer it all out.
"The
Irish don't get credit for their skills, their work and what they
can do. They're great workers, the majority of them," pronounces
Pat. "Very seldom you'll get an Irish man that will let you
down," he adds. Sixty per cent of Local 223 are of Irish ancestry.
Pat
became very active in church and community events through his life
in Dorchester, in the southwest part of Boston. Dorchester was annexed
to Boston in the 19th century and became home for many Irish immigrants
and more recently immigrants from the world over. Dorchester is
now governed by Boston's Mayor and City Council, yet has retained
an independent streak.
In
1998, Dorchester decided during its Dorchester Pride Week to elect
its own Ceremonial Mayor, and Pat Walsh became the first incumbent.
Not only that, he is also Dorchester Man of The Year 2000.
Pat's
son Martin has followed in his father's footsteps into the labour
movement and was elected business agent of local 223. He is now
President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions.
Pat's
nephew, also Martin, is a state representative for Massachusetts.
Pat
Walsh is affectionately referred to by his union brothers as "The
Legend"
© Copyright
Francis and Imelda Murphy
All rights reserved
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