TEA FOR THE STRIKERS

Northern Advocate, 3 September 1913, Page 2

TEA FOR THE STRIKERS

With charming tact a War Office clerk dealt with a labour crisis. Wlien several women employees of the Army Clothing Department, Pimlico, who were on strike, marched full of indignation to see Colonel Seely, their deputation of six women were immediately offered cups of refreshing' tea

The women Avere on strike as a protest against a reduction of in the piece rates for jackets, from 2/11 V 2 d to 2/9.

The deputation was shown into an ante-room, and after a few minutes a clerk, who ought to earn laurels in the Diplomatic Service, entered and suggested that they might, like a little refreshment —for instance, -a cup of tea. The effect was instantaneous Those who had come with bitter feeling against the War Office relaxed into smiles. Anger subsided, and when a few minutes later cups of tea arrived the deputation's opinion of the War Office had undergone a change. The women who were waiting outside were astonished to see, through a window next to the entrance, their now smiling deputation takins tf»a. At this stage the police asked the envious strikers to wait round the corner. Presently, refreshed and still smiling, the deputation came out. Mr Butler, the secretary of their union, had. seen Colonel Seely's secretary, who said that the Secretary of State for War on his return to town next day would go into the whole matter. One of the deputation remarked, "They were not so bad after all." Pending an investigation of their case by tin . War Office, the strikers decided to resume work next morning. ____________________