In 1989, the Labour Court recommended ending Coal Distributors Limited’s 1987 agreement covering two workers in its prepack area, with an additional £1,000 payment for each worker. The recommendation was signed on 15 September 1989. The company said the arrangement had proved unworkable and sought to use contractors. The Marine Port And General Workers Union sought to retain the agreement. After negotiations to change or end the agreement failed, the Court said it was no longer viable. It recommended compensation for the workers’ lost earnings calculated on the company’s basis and reviewed after two years, as well as the additional payments. It noted the workers would be employed in the manual section.