Ban the Unofficial Strike
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LATELY, in the road-transport industry, particularly on the passenger-carrying side, there have been far too many strikes, nearly all of an unofficial nature.
Not only are these resulting in great inconvenience to the public, but they are forcing passengers on to the railways and, in the circumstances, these may, unfortunately, decide to continue this mode of travel, either permanently or for a considerable period. Thus, such strikes are 'inimical not only to the companies involved, but to the workers themselves. From the point of view of the latter, also, they are working against their own interests by weakening the position of the unions.
The recent unofficial strike in Dublin lasted 13 weeks, and the traffic loss during this period may never be regained, for many people who had hitherto travelled consistently by bus became cyclists and were thus possibly permanently lost to both road and rail.
Decreasing receipts may necessitate increases of fares, which, in themselves, again discourage traffic, so that those responsible for holding up public-service vehicles are risking their own livelihood. It is essential that the employees should recognize their duty to the public as well as to their employers.
Few of the cessations of work have been in connection with any question of wages, and most of them could easily have been settled by negotiations between the employers and the unions. Both sides realize that a strike is a dangerous weapon which may easily have a boomerang effect, and which should be used only as a last resource. In the majority of instances the cause of friction concerns only one or, at most, a few individuals, the difficulties regarding whom could no doubt be overcome with a little give-and-take by each of the interests concerned.
Even a small strike can cause losses of a magnitude out of all proportion to the importance of the point at issue, and we appeal to all concerned in the transport industry, to work for a better understanding.