SMITHFIELD STRIKE PAPERS

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

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

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

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Fitter, R

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