We hope that the workmen of the Enniskillen Urban Council who have hastily gone on strike will recognise the consideration extended towards them.

When the men left their work, the Council did not do what they might have done – dismiss promptly the men who struck, and replace them by a new staff, which could easily have been obtained by advertisement.

The Council waited, in order to give the men a chance, and the men have not availed themselves of it with discretion.

An interview was arranged for, but instead of the staff conferring with the Council two outsiders, who are not in the employment of the Council, and who have no right whatever to be heard, appeared, one of whom the Council resolved not to have any dealings with whatever.

The result was that the interview did not proceed. The men’s wages were raised during the war on account of the increased cost of food, they accepted the reduced rate until some outsider influenced them to strike, and they have been allowed to strike.

Wages have been in process of reduction and readjustment all over the country in every department of business, and Enniskillen’s time has come.

The plea of a Mr. M’Curdy, who has no local connection or standing, that the corporation staff should receive an increased wage above other employees, is too preposterous for consideration.

The staff have constant employment; receive extra clothing; have holidays; and good treatment; and for this reason some people might argue that they might receive lower wages than those whose daily or weekly employment is subject to variation.

But the Urban Council pay their staff well, take good care of them, give the older men a pension on retiring, which other men do not receive, and the Council find that their thanks are a strike promoted by non- workers.

Of course all such methods are attributed to Trade Union organisers, who seem to exist for no other purpose than making trouble.