Matt was a labourer throughout his life and a member of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, which was formed in 1908. Perhaps the most detailed discussion about Matt and this "big" or "great" strike as his biographer, Mary Purcell, refers to it can be found in Chapter 10 of her book, Matt Talbot and His Times (1977). She discusses not only the labour conditions but also includes many lengthy quotes by those who knew Matt at that time. Matt sought the advise of his confessor, read extensively on labour related topics, and financially helped fellow workers with families.
A search of this website notes those writings that include reference to the strike. For one of many Google references to this strike and lockout, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1913_Strike_and_Lockout