Truck Act — Law Dictionary

Truck Act

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

St. 1 & 2 Wm. rv. c. 37, passed to abolish what is commonly called the "truck system," under which employers were in the practice of paying the wages of their work people in goods, or of requiring them to purchase goods at certain shops. This led to laborers being compelled to take and laborers, except those engaged m certain trades, especially iron and metal works, quarries, cloth, silk, and glass manufactories. It does not apply to domestic or agricultural servants. Smith, Mast. & S. 166; St. 23 & 24 Vict. c. 151, § 28. Acts similar in purpose have been passed in some of the United States.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

In English law. This name is given to the statute 1 & 2 Wm. IV. c. 37, passed to abolish what is commonly called the "truck system," under which employers were in the practice of paying the wages of their work pcople in goods or of requiring them to purchase goods at certain shops. This led to laborers being compelled to take goods of inferior quality at a high price. The act applies to all artificers, workmen, and laborers, except those engaged in certain trades, especially iron and metui works, quarries, cloth, silk, and glass manufactories. It does not apply to domestic or agricultural servants. Sweet.