Civil Rights & Labor History Consortium | Photo and Document Gallery | 1919 Seattle General Strike | Co-operative Union Market, a labor-owned enterprise

Founded by the Butcher's Union, the market served families during the General Strike The Co-operative Food Products Association (CFPA) started out as a co-operative meat market in 1918 and was founded by the Butchers’ Union. The store was originally called the South-end Public Market and employed 78 people. By the end of 1919 the CFPA had over 1,000 families as members. They offered liberal credit to strikers and their families during the Seattle General Strike and offered work to striking employees. Along the with CFPA, the other large co-operative, the Seattle Consumers’ Co-operative Association (SCCA), offered 10,000 free loaves of bread to striking laborers. Courtesy Museum of History & Industry, Seattle Post Intelligencer Collection. Address: 302 Washington Street

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