Porters Licence Application

All porters working in the Market are licensed by the Corporation of London and a register containing details of each porter and his employment is kept by the Superintendent. Should any dispute arise in negotiations or in relation to conditions of service, rates of pay or operating practices, which cannot be settled between the parties involved, the matter is brought to a Joint Labour Committee composed of representatives of the porters' union and the employers in equal numbers and chaired by the Superintendent, in the capacity of neutral Chairman.

Billingsgate Market enjoys a good reputation in respect of labour relations and most problems are settled without the need to resort to a formal meeting. For practical reasons,Market porters traditionally wore flat-topped leather hats but these days they are only worn on 'special' occasions. The white sailcloth smocks have been retained and apart from their practical usefulness these add to the Market's colourful background.