The double-shift system.
Among the various proposals for maintaining the production of collieries while conceding to the individual workman the advantage of a reduction in the number of hours of daily labour, the double-shift system of working promises a most satisfactory result. When the memorable struggle was commenced in Newcastle for a reduction in the number of hours, I ventured to suggest, in an address delivered at Birkenhead, that the solution of the difficulty, which had arisen in the engineering establishments, might be found in employing relays of mechanics to succeed each other at the same machine. When we have to combine human labour with machine power, we know that it is impossible for the human machine to keep pace with machinery of brass and iron. But why, I venture to ask, should not a machine, which never tires, be tended by two or three artisans relieving each other as one watch relieves another on board ship? In driving the machinery of steamships, it has been found necessary, on long voyages, to have three sets of engineers and firemen. Why should not the day be divided into three periods of eight hours, or the working day be extended to sixteen hours, two sets of men being employed? The change, arising from the increasing use of machinery, seems to render corresponding modifications in the application of labour essential. My friend Mr. Elliott is pushing the system of a succession of labour in collieries with very advantageous results to all parties concerned. Comparing a Durham colliery, worked on the double-shift system, with a colliery in Glamorganshire, worked by one set of miners, he ascertained that twice the quantity of coal per day was being raised in Durham. The prejudices of the miners in South Wales against the double-shift have presented a serious obstacle to its introduction, but Mr. Elliott hopes that this may eventually be overcome by the influence of Mr. Macdonald and other representatives of the men, whose superior intelligence will enable them to appreciate more readily the advantages of new and improved systems of working.