SMITHFIELD STRIKE PAPERS

Papers, press cuttings and ephemera relating to the strike at the SmithfieldCentral Meat Markets in February 1936.

In 1936 the London Central Meat Markets at Smithfield formed the world'slargest meat distributing centre. Just over one third of the total amount ofbeef, mutton and lamb annually imported into the United Kingdom was handledthere.

The strike involved pitchers, porters and shop men. They demanded a minimumwage, a 40 hour working week with a maximum of 10 hours labour on any one daywith extra pay for over time, and one week's holiday with pay. The strikebegan at midnight 2nd February, and ended on 17th February when the strikersmade an orderly return to work. On 4th March 1936 the workers of SmithfieldMarket agreed to accept an agreement drawn up by their Trade Union officialsand the Smithfield Employer's Council covering the rates of pay and the hoursand conditions of work, which gave the workers a 45 hour working week, and,for most of them, an increase in the minimum wage.

One volume

OPEN

Fitter, R

No further listrequired

APPLY TOARCHIVIST