[1] In 1907, Robert Morley from the British-based Workers' Union came to speak in the city, and while he was present, a major strike occurred.
This enabled him to recruit two local branches of factory workers, and Harris was appointed as the union's full-time Irish Organiser.
Initially, he proved successful, recruiting heavily among chemical workers and builders' labourers', giving a total membership of more than 500.
He worked with James Sexton to get Larkin removed from the Parliamentary Committee of the Irish Trades Union Congress.
Several local strikes ended in defeat, with many members leaving, though Harris claimed that his difficulties resulted from employers exploiting religious differences among workers.