Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the present day - more aspects - Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coaltrimmers' Union . . .

The agreement provided for a partial third shift for an experimental period of six months. The Court stated : - We have, therefore, thought it best in the meantime to adjourn the further hearing of the case sine die (ed. with no appointed date for resumption) in the the hope that these agreements will form the basis of a permanent settlement, which will obviate the necessity of further inquiry.

The Court made comment about the manner in which the parties involved were keen to find a viable solution to the complex issues raised. They commented : -

When we were asked by the parties to adjourn we recognised as to whether the requirements of the trade necessitate the putting on of a third shift would be of material assistance in the solution os a very complicated problem, inasmuch as it would, in laying the facts before the public, elucidate many points around which much discussion and controversy have revolved. On the other hand, there was no difference of opinion as to one point ; it was not disputed that the existing state of affairs is highly unsatisfactory. The difference between the employers and the workers was not as to the existence of a certain measure of delay and congestion, but as to how that delay and congestion might be removed.

Furthermore, we were greatly impressed by the sincere desire of both parties to reach a settlement. The workers while not admitting that the putting on of a third shift was necessary, or that it was the remedy which they themselves would have suggested, had shown their readiness to give the employers' proposal a trial, and the employers, in the same way, had made it clear that, while maintaining their attitude as to the necessity of a third shift, they were willing to make material concessions in the hope of reaching agreement.

It was necessary to remember also that the finding of the Court, whatever its sense, could not be more that the first step in the direction of a permanent settlement, and that it must in any case be followed by more or less prolonged negotiation.

In all the circumstances, therefore, we venture to think that the step which we have taken has already resulted in an appreciable saving of time and it is our earnest hope that with the goodwill of the parties, of which we are assured, the settlement which has been reached will lead to a lasting solution of the problem.