For Irish-Americans, labor threats carry poignancy

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9M0IJQG1.htm

March 16, 2011, 5:21PM ET

NEW YORK

Many Irish-Americans will reflect this St. Patrick's Day on their rich history in the labor movement as public workers seek to retain bargaining rights in several states.

Irish immigrants were vilified in the United States as they began arriving by the tens of thousands in the 1800s.

Irish Americans' involvement in unions eventually helped lift them to positions of power, influence and ultimately acceptance.

Some say that's a lesson to remember as people struggle to climb out of poverty.

Patrick J. Lynch is head of the union that represents New York police. He says "the faces may have changed. The countries they're coming from may have changed. But the ladder is the same."