Somebody please explain a NY Times mini puzzle crossword answer that I don't understand

The Game Room
1

Spoilering the answer in case anyone wants to do the puzzle themselves:

The clue is 12 down, 3 letters, Half of the word "non- union" and the answer is ENS

I solved the puzzle with the clues across, which is just as well, since I have no idea at all as to how Half of the word "non- union" could be ENS. Can anyone explain?

Don’t read the reply by @Manduck below if you don’t want to know the answer BTW

2

Half of the letters in “non-union” are n’s, or ens.

3

Ah, OK, that makes sense, thanks
Here I was thinking about scabs, union-busting, and all kinds of non-union words.

4

Took me a minute to figure that one out, too.

5

I don’t blame you for being puzzled. I think the only place I ever see letters of the alphabet spelled out is in crossword puzzles.