Lorcan Collins guest speaker at TWU Conference in Las Vegas

By Lily Collins

Lorcan Collins spent a few months this year writing a book on Mike Quill, the founder of the Transport Workers Union of America. Mike was a Kerryman, and fought for Irish freedom as an IRA Volunteer during the Tan War and Civil War.
Mike emigrated to New York on 16 March 1926 and in 1934 he co-founded a union amongst subway workers and named it in honour of Jim Larkin and James Connolly’s Irish Transport and General Workers Union.

Jim Gannon and Lorcan Collins

Mike Quill not only fought for Ireland but fought against the bosses in the transport sector and supported the civil rights movement too. He counted amongst his friends Dr. King, Paul Robeson and Bobby Kennedy.

Lorcan Collins and International President of the Transport Workers Union of America John Samuelsen

Lorcan was commissioned to write the book by the International President of the Transport Workers of America, John Samuelsen, who Lorcan says “continues to fight and advocate for 160,000 workers in a daily battle against the transport bosses, automation, offshoring the maintenance of passenger aircraft and cut-backs in the industry today.”

Lorcan Collins and TWU International President John Samuelsen during a planning discussion on the Mike Quill book in Dublin

Lorcan was invited to address the Bi-annual TWU Convention in Las Vegas in September where he spoke on Mike Quill’s life and his belief in the ideals of James Connolly.

Mike Mayes, Jerome Lafragola, Lorcan Collins, John Samuelsen, Curtis Tate and Alex Garcia

The Union delegates, which numbered about 900, were very welcoming and Lorcan said he “felt more like a union member than a guest.”

John Samuelsen presented Lorcan with a bronze sculpture to mark the occasion.

Lorcan said “there were tremendous speakers and events and I met some amazing people who shared their stories of struggle and how they continue to triumph over greed and automation with the backing of America’s Fight Back Union.”

A small section of the enormous delegation in Las Vegas

Lorcan extends his gratitude to “all his friends in the Union for the wonderful welcome.” He added “respect and thanks to the TWU International President John Samuelsen and the International Executive Vice President Alex Garcia, International Secretary-Treasurer Jerome Lafragola, International Administrative Vice President Curtis Tate and International Administrative Vice President Mike Mayes.” Lorcan extends a “special thanks to TWU stalwart, Jim Gannon who produced the book on Mike Quill.”