The Irish Distributive and Administrative Union (IDATU) was a

trade union A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits (s ...

representing workers in

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. The union was founded in 1901 as the Irish Drapers' Assistants' Association by

Michael O'Lehane Michael O'Lehane (1873–1920) was an Irish trade unionist. Biography Born near Macroom in County Cork, O'Lehane studied at the North Monastery before completing an apprenticeship as a draper. He moved to Limerick in 1898 to work for Cannocks, w ...

. O'Lehane had been working at Cannocks in

Limerick Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region. With a population of 94,192 at the 2016 ...

where several female shop workers living on the premises died in a major fire. O'Lehane relocated to Dublin, where he founded the union.Dermot Keogh, "Michael O'Lehane and the organisation of Linen Drapers Assistants", ''Saothar'', vol.3, pp.33-43 In 1902, O'Lehane travelled around Ireland, recruiting members for the IDAA, with a branch being set up in

Galway Galway ( ; ga, Gaillimh, ) is a city in the West of Ireland, in the province of Connacht, which is the county town of County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay, and is the sixth most populous city ...

and over the next few years in other towns and cities. The union focused its campaigns on reducing working hours, creating a half-day holiday per week, and setting up agreements to cover overtime pay.Michael O'Lehane
, ''Irish Labour History Society'' The IDAA attracted particular attention for recruiting women. By 1914, 1,400 of its 4,000 members were women. O'Lehane stood down as secretary in 1919, being succeeded by several high-profile trade unionists, including Luke Duffy,

Michael Drumgoole Michael Drumgoole (1882 – 24 May 1960) was an Irish trade unionist. Born in Croom, County Limerick, Drumgoole moved to New York in 1899, where he worked at Lord & Taylor and lived with his uncle. In 1902, he returned to Ireland, wher ...

and Billy Fitzpatrick. The union changed its name to the Irish Union of Distributive Workers and Clerks (IUDWC), and in 1935 it merged with the Commercial Employees' Union. Membership varied greatly over the years, falling as low as 6,443 in 1930, but reaching 15,579 in 1950, and more than 17,122 in 1970. In 1985, the union took its final name, the "Irish Distributive and Administrative Union".Arthur Marsh, ''Historical Directory of Trade Unions'', vol.5, pp.119-120 The union experienced rapid growth in the 1980s under the stewardship of General Secretary John Mitchell, who was seen as a left-winger. In 1984 a number of female workers and one man at Dunnes Stores department store in Henry Street,

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range. At the 2016 ...

refused to sell

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring count ...

n grapefruits as part of the growing campaign against the Apartheid regime then in power. Mitchell gave full support to the workers and a long strike / lockout ensued. The action made international headlines and at one stage a delegation of eight of the Dunnes Workers led by IDATU Official Brendan Archbold were expelled from South Africa where they had gone to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Mitchell was ousted from his position in 1988, leading to a major controversy and claims of unfair dismissal from himself and leading supporters. He was also heavily criticised for expanding the union into Northern Ireland where a row took place with the rival GMB union. Mitchell took legal action to secure reinstatement but eventually the union made a settlement with him, but he was not reinstated.{{Cite web , url=http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2001/10/28/story307423828.asp , title=Rebels for the cause: ThePost.ie , access-date=2016-07-18 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050512122713/http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2001/10/28/story307423828.asp , archive-date=2005-05-12 , url-status=dead In 1994, IDATU merged with the Irish National Union of Vintners', Grocers' and Allied Trades Assistants to form

Mandate Mandate most often refers to: * League of Nations mandates, quasi-colonial territories established under Article 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations, 28 June 1919 * Mandate (politics), the power granted by an electorate Mandate may also ...

General Secretaries

:1901:

:1920: John G. Gilloway :1922: Luke Duffy :1933:

:1954: Billy Fitzpatrick :1983: John Mitchell :1989: Hugh Pollock :1992: Owen Nulty

References

Defunct trade unions of Ireland Retail trade unions 1901 establishments in Ireland Trade unions established in 1901 Trade unions disestablished in 1994 1994 disestablishments in Ireland