INTRODUCTION Recent years have seen the growth of subcontracting, piecework, self-employment, day work, zero-hour contracts, umbrella companies, minimum wages, and the use of agencies in a range of British workplaces. The driving force behind these apparent innovations is an attempt by companies to reduce labour costs and increase productivity. This is not new. The sub-contract … Continue reading PITY THE POOR BUTTYMAN: The Butty System in the Forest of Dean 1820 -1938.