No, I prefer to focus on the issues of the strike.
What makes this strike different is it's not about a specific pay...
Ain't that something, eh? Yeah, she's doing all right.
This is Laurie Cannon, BBC News, at Westmin...
She mentioned you on the telly there, Ed.
I tell you what, that's some woman you got there.
Right. I gotta get going. What, already?
Gotta fetch the kids. Rita reckons they ain't gonna be back till 6,
so I need to get them sorted. Get your apron.
Shut up, you.
Tell her to get her finger out. It's gone on long enough.
I don't think they're dragging it out.
It's all right for you, it's different for me.
I can't be doing with this strike. Yeah, I know that, and they'll settle it.
Soon as they can.
See you tomorrow. Yeah. See you later, Ed.
Top it up, would you, Pete, please?
There's nothing I can do about it. Come and have a look for yourself.
That's what I'm saying, you've had them all.
There are no more finished seats. Full stop.
Frank, what do you want me to do?
We're going home, mate. You what?
No more seats, no more jobs.
For any of us.
You lot are a bit early, aren't you?
Hey, what's going on? You've shut the factory.
Well done.
Ford's Dagenham. The plant is mainly idle.
With thousands laid off, strike bound, and production barely ticking over,
millions of vital pounds being lost in export orders.
And until there's an answer to the rift
between management and Ford's machinists,
the factory gates will remain closed indefinitely to the entire work force.
You all right? Yeah.
Been busy, have you?
Yeah.
It's the final push, Eddie.
Entire main plant closed down.
Ford can't afford that, so...
I mean, I'm sorry about you and the lads and everything.
Oh, no, don't worry about us, Rita. We was only saying on the way out
it's warm weather at the moment. Cut the gas off, we'll hardly notice.
Yeah.
Well, the thing is, Eddie, you know, I know how you feel.
All them times you've been on strike
and us girls come out in support of you men.
It's meant no work for us either.
Yeah.
Have you got something on your mind, Eddie?
Ey? Got something on your mind?
Got nothing on me mind.
I'm fine. I'd say.
Good.
It ain't been the easiest day for me either.
Thank you for waiting. I have Mr. Ford for you gentlemen.
I thought your boy said he could handle this.
Do we even know what we're dealing with?
Socialist Workers Party? Workers Revolutionary Party?
Revolutionary Communist-fucking-Party?
Who's she with?
Well, we don't actually think she's with anyone, sir.
We actually don't think she's a communist. She looks...
I don't care if she looks like Jane-fucking-Fonda.
I wanna know why she's acting like this.
As a matter of fact, she hasn't got a political background
either inside or outside the union. Her husband is a moderate.
We just think she's got a beef.
A beef? Heh. Have you tried getting a decent steak in England?
If this woman gets what she wants,
we'll end up having to do it right across the world.
Do you understand that?
Yes, sir, I do. Good.
So deal with it.
Guess you'll be getting the next flight.
Yeah.
Prime Minister, I don't think you appreciate the urgency...
The urgency of the situation.
Fetch. Good dog, Barry.
- That's it. - Prime Minister?
Until you help me, I cannot get this country back to work.
I understand that, but we need to tread carefully. Draw the unions in.
We have to acknowledge that without the unions,
there would be no Labour Party. Hm.
I was a member of the trade union movement
while you were still at your mother's breast.
Unless you've got something to add beyond the obvious,
I'd prefer it if you keep quiet. Harold, you asked me to do this job.
You appointed me.
You're the best man in my cabinet, I often say that.
Harold, I cannot do it without you.
I need you. Jack Scamp, he's your man.
Any impasse, get Jack in.
Sits them all around a table, beer and pork pie.
Straight-talking negotiation. He's the way forward.
Beer and pork pie? Mm-hm.
Might not do for the latest one down at Ford.
A hundred and eighty-seven machinists, all women.
Well, perhaps we can get them a finger buffet in, eh?
Finger buffet? Good.
- So how was the flight? - It was long.
I'm sorry to drag you over.
Well, they're taking this very seriously, right at the top.
Come in, my wife's cooking dinner.
Well, I don't wanna be any trouble. Honestly, it's the least I can do.
Lisa, this is Robert Tooley.
Pleasure to meet you. Likewise.
At last.
I was telling Peter that I'm perfectly happy to eat later at the hotel so...
It's really no problem. She loves to cook, don't you?
Let me take your hat and coat. Thank you.
Come through, have a drink. I'll run you back when we're finished.
Thank you. It was delicious.
Lovely. Thank you.
Can you bring some brandy glasses back in with you?
Absolutely. Lisa? Do you mind if I call you Lisa?
You must have quite a head on your shoulders.
Peter tells me that you read history at Cambridge?
- Yes, I did. - Do you mind if I ask
what do you think of our little problem over at the factory?
Do you think maybe he's a bit too much velvet glove?
Not enough iron fist? Oh, not at all, no.
No, quite the opposite actually. Look at Vauxhall.
They don't have any problems with the unions
because General Motors has a more collaborative approach to management.
Whereas at Ford, you...
Well, you only deal with the unions because you have to.
You tolerate them. And as a result, they're more entrenched
and they're aggressive in their dealings with you.
Well, ha-ha, that's a very progressive point of view.
Don't you think?
Cheese. What?
We have some Stilton. Why don't you get that out?
Right. Some grapes.
- Yes, good idea. - That'll be terrific, thank you.
Come on, girls. There's a cauliflower or cabbage for everyone.
Cauliflower again? Haven't got anything else?
Blimey, he must love you.
I've never had real pineapple.
- Let her know it's yours. - Go on, Mum.
Sandra, here's your strike pay. Thanks.
Three quid? Yeah, I know it's not much.
It's all the union can afford, I'm afraid. Better than nothing.
I'll take it back if you don't want it. No.
Oh, all right then.
Sandra, cauliflower or cabbage?
- I'm fine, thanks. - Come on, take one.
No, I'm all right.
I've gotta go, actually.
So I'll see you all later. See you.
See you later.
This one's for Connie, you seen her? I haven't.
I'll give it to her. Monica?
Oh, is that Connie's? I'll take it. No, it ain't all your responsibility.
Yeah, I know. I wanna see her anyway.
- Is that real pineapple? - You bet.
Can I have some? Go on, help yourself.
- See you. - See you.
- Bye. - Later, Rita.
Come on, girls, get stuck in.
There you go. My God.
- So sweet. - Yeah, it's just like him.
Connie? Connie, are you there?
Got you a present.
It's from Brenda's fella. Makes a change from potatoes, eh?
Albert's been in touch. There's a meeting down the union.
Sounds important. Thinks we should be there.
No, I don't think so.
What are you talking about?
Connie?
George is ill, Rita. You know that.
He's touched.
The strike's just whipping everything up. I've gotta put him first.
Look, Connie, I know it's hard... No, you don't.
I'm not his wife anymore. I'm more like his sister or his...
But I'm his.
That's all he's got left.
Connie, I ain't saying you gotta give up on him.
You've got a life too, you know.
You gotta live it.
Or the war's gonna end up destroying two people.
George. George. Shh, shh.
It's all right, it's all right, I'm here, I'm here, I'm here.
It doesn't matter. I'll change it, come on.
Out you come. What the hell do you care?
I know what you're up to. You're gonna put me away!
George. Stop it. Stop. Stop. Stop.
I'm sorry.
Monty, this is Mr. Tooley, he's from... Good afternoon, Mr. Taylor.
Go break the strike, please. As soon as possible.
I'm not sure you appreciate whose side I'm on.
Oh, yes, I do. I've been going through your file here.
File?
You seem to be on your side, Mr. Taylor.
I beg your pardon? I don't have to listen to this.
Yeah, that's it, keep walking and in six months' time, your union won't exist.
Industry cannot afford to pay women the same rates as men, gentlemen.
That is a fact. If it is forced to, it will collapse,
under the weight of the extra wages. Its workers will get laid off.
Their union subscriptions will disappear
and so will the unions which collect them.
That means you, Monty.
You would no longer have any reason to visit these gentlemen via the...
What is it? Berni Inn, is it?
The Queen's Head? The Chequers? Wow, that's a lot of restaurants.
Not to mention the all-expenses-paid trips to the party conferences
to the union conferences. In Paris, no less.
The Gallic rank and file. Good on you, Monty.
These women get what they want and you're fucked.
I'd start thinking less about what your union can do for you
and more about what you can do for your union.
Go break the strike.
Please.
Personnel files, gentlemen.
Everyone's got a weakness, you just have to find it.
Hello?
Yeah, hello, yes. Yeah, it is.
It's all right. I got your note. Thank you.
Sorry, I was busy when you came round.
What?
Really?
Hello, Gordon. You all right?
Yeah, I'm all right. You all right? Yeah, I'm all right.
Yeah? Course you are. Well, you don't have to work, do you?
Ey?
You can afford to have principles. I mean, you ain't the breadwinner.
It's nice. It's a bit extra, but you don't have to. I have to fucking work.
Pay the electric and the food and the coal, the fucking basics.
Only now I can't.
Fucking idiot.
Do you believe in this women's strike?
No, I don't. They shouldn't get the same as lads.
You don't believe in equal pay?
No, no, no. Not for women.
The men are the breadwinners. The women shouldn't strike
because a lot of them husbands work here.
Now that the lads have been made redundant, they're gonna be nervous.
And Monty, Ford has rattled him, I can tell.
So be careful what news you share with him, all right?
That's our fridge. Bingo.
Excuse me. What's going on?
We ain't paid the HP.
Last of mine went in the electric bill. How are you set?
You want me to hold the door open for you?
Go on. I'll make life a little bit easier for you.
You spent the money. Ey?
Spent the last of the emergency, out of the repair kit.
I had to pay the milkman. Not that it matters, we ain't got a fridge.
Why? What do you mean, why?
Could have put him off till next week. He wanted paying.
Should've told him we didn't have it. Right.
I'm in charge of the money.
Ain't much fucking good at it, are you? We might have some left.
Welcome to the real world, Rita. This is being on strike.
You run out of cash and you end up screaming at each other.
What happened to you? Oh, shut up.
Don't you tell me "shut up." Eddie... Hi, Rita.
All right, Marge? I thought you were back at work.
Can you come in now? In a minute.
No, no, we're still on strike. Oh, right.
Sharon. I was sure
I saw your Sandra down the factory.
Sandra? Yeah, it was her.
Love, in a minute. I'll see you later, all right?
All right.
I'm sorry, love. Mummy's gotta sort something.
But you said... Yeah, I know I did.
Eddie? Eddie, can you look after Sharon?
I'll be back later, love. It's all right, sweetheart.
Yes. I like this. This is beautiful. Hi. Sally, is it?
Sandra. Sandra, yes.
Okay, chin up for me. Find this light up here.
Find the birdie. There we go.
That's a little bit sexy. Okay, there we go.
Fabulous, you're a natural. Let's go down on the floor, here.
I like that. I like that.
And I fucking well like that.
I don't know about you guys, I've forgotten about the car.
That's great. Let's go up here. Let's go nice and high now, guys.
Straight into the camera.
Sandra.
Keep that. Just keep the pose going there, Sandra.
I'm sorry, can I just take a minute?
Do you wanna get...? I need a minute.
Sure.
This is something I've always wanted. I know.
I mean, I don't even know if I really care about equal pay.
I mean, it's still a shitty factory.
This is just a brochure, but, you know...
It's only trade, but it'll lead on.
Get my foot in the door, you know?
I just don't wanna let you down. You haven't let us down.
You haven't gone back to work, have you?
Because that's the deal here, isn't it?
They set up this shoot, you go back to work?
Only you haven't gone back to work, have you? So...
But if they don't use these photos... Sandra.
Look at you.
You are a model.
You're a natural.
They couldn't get better.
You could, though.
There she is. Up against the clock now, my love.
Come along. Drape yourself across this vehicle. I shall avert my eyes.
How's this look?
No?
Hi, Mum.
Mum, we've gotta go.
Yes. Sorry, darling.
You're going, are you? You know I am. I said.
Rita asked me to go special.
You gotta fight for what you believe in. You know that more than anyone.
You think I'd do the same again? If another war come round?
I know you would.
I love you.
Go.
Minister, the unions are turning.
The other unions. Normally, they all band together.
Yes, I gather that's called solidarity.
They're not being solid. The men want to return to work.
So they're telling unions to withdraw support, put pressure on the women.
They'll be back within the week. We'll see.
You're assuming the girls will do as they're told.
It's not my fault.
Connie. You said it was important.
Thanks. Listen, I'm sorry I'm late.
We've got to talk before this meeting.
They're ready for you now. This way, ladies.
They've hung you out to dry. Lads in the other unions have had enough.
So whatever they say to you now, don't believe it.
We'll sort it out later, all right?
We're absolutely behind you still, Rita. You and the girls.
We're not saying otherwise.
We've got other representatives from other unions to pledge their support.
You haven't got them all though, have you? The important ones.
No, but we're very confident we'll prevail.
The thing is though, we've got the national conference coming up.
The most sensible thing, probably, would be just go to a vote.
Which would be the actual final and binding position, I believe, comrade.
After which, it'd be out of our hands. That's right, Monty.
As I say, we're expecting full support.
We gotta get down to Eastbourne and talk to them first.
"Actual final and binding position, comrade." Cheeky sod.
That Monty is a sly one though, isn't he?
I can't wait to see his face when we turn up down there.
See you tomorrow. We can deal with him, Con.
We can deal with anyone. That's right, comrade.
No! No, George!
No!
Connie! Connie!
Connie.
George! Connie! Connie, let me in!
It's okay. Dear God.
May the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
be with you always. Amen.
Amen.
I'm so sorry, Connie.
No, you're not.
What?
You thought he was a millstone. You thought he was keeping me back.
Hey, Con, that's enough.
I should've been there.
I'm all right. It's all right.
I know.
Hello. Hello.
This is a surprise. Yes, I'm sorry. I'm sorry it's so late.
I nearly didn't come at all. It's all right.
I...
Sorry, yeah. Do you want a cup of tea?
To be honest, I'm not feeling chatty today. I'm sorry.
No, it's fine, really. I really don't want to keep you. It's just, um...
Mr. Clarke's been asked to leave the school.
We won. They're getting rid of him.
Right. Of course, yeah. Oh, that's great.
I just... That's brilliant.
Well, I wanted to tell you. Well, cheers. Thanks.
Anyway, I'm sorry to bother you. Not at all, thanks.
I'm married to Peter Hopkins.
Sorry, what? At the factory.
I had a feeling that you didn't know. And I didn't know who you were.
With the strike.
Sorry, I don't understand.
I'm sorry, if you've come here to tell me to back off,
I wasn't joking. I've had a hell of a day and...
Oh, no. Oh, no.
Keep going. Please, keep going.
Do you know who I am? Who I actually am?
No. I'm Lisa Burnett, I'm 31 years old.
I have a first-class honors degree
from one of the finest universities in the world.
And my husband treats me like I'm a fool.
And when I was studying for my degree,
I was very, very happy.
And mostly because of the work. Because I loved reading
about all these extraordinary people making history.
And...
And I just wondered what it felt like.
So let me know, will you, when you finish doing it?
I don't know.
Don't give up.
Don't let me down.
Rita, wait! Where are you going? Eastbourne. I left you a note.
- I thought you changed your mind. - I gotta go.
Rita? Look, Rita, just stop.
What, Eddie? Just listen to me. Just...
We've gotta sort this out.
Eddie... No, no, no, we have, right? Just...
Look, I know it ain't been good between us lately,
which I ain't about to make worse.
Eddie... Just listen to me.
Look, if I ain't appreciated what you've done recently...
Gotta catch a bus. I really am sorry,
but you ain't been perfect either.
This really ain't the time, Eddie. Yes, it is, because it needs saying.
I know you reckon I ain't bothered about the important things.
And I drift along and I'm more interested in fiddling with motorbikes
or making tents out of seat covers, but, you know, I try me best.
You know? I have a go.
I like a drink, but I ain't out on the beer every night
or screwing other women or...
And I've never once raised me hand.
Ever. Or the kids.
Christ. What?
Why you looking like that?
Right. You're a saint now, is that what you're telling me, Eddie?
You're a bleeding saint? Because you give us an even break?
What are you saying? That is as it should be. Jesus, Eddie.
What do you think this strike's all been about?
Actually you're right. You don't go on the drink.
Don't gamble, you join in with the kids, you don't knock us about. Lucky me.
For Christ's sake, Eddie, that's as it should be!
You try and understand that.
Rights, it's not privileges. It's that easy. It really bloody is.
Didn't think you were coming. Hey.
Very good, gentlemen. Can I call on Monty Taylor,
Senior Convener, Ford Dagenham?
Thank you, I shall try to be brief. If you would.
The great achievements of civilization
depended on slow progress.
Step by step.
Hence, I am here because I feel that my union, in backing
these lovely, brave ladies,
these Boadiceas in hairnets,
On their way to a fight for equal pay, no matter what.
But we have to think about the trade union struggle as a whole.
Therefore, gentlemen, I ask you
to consider these ladies' demands too much, too soon.
Monty Taylor, you two-faced, hypocritical toe-rag!
You fucking piece of...
Hang on. No, you hang on!
Sorry, gentlemen.
Hey, we'll sort this out between ourselves later, eh?
Monty, I've seen more of their mugs on the front pages the past few weeks
than you've managed in 20 years.
I wouldn't mind hearing from them.
Go on. Go on.
My best friend lost her husband recently.
He was...
He was a gunner in the 50 Squadron in the RAF.
Got shot down one time on a raid to Essen.
And even though he was badly injured, he managed to bail out.
I asked him why he joined the RAF and he said:
"Well, they got the best women, haven't they?"
Which they did.
And then he said, "Well, you gotta do something, haven't you?"
You had to do something. That was a given.
Because it was a matter of principle.
You had to stand up, you had to do what was right.
Otherwise you wouldn't be able to look at yourself in the mirror.
When did that change, eh?
When did we, in this country, decide to stop fighting?
I don't think we ever did.
But you've gotta back us up.
You've gotta stand up with us.
We are the working classes. The men and the women.
We're not separated by sex.
But only by those who are willing to accept injustice
and those, like our friend George,
who are prepared to go into battle for what is right.
And equal pay for women is right.
Thank you.
I never knew you could talk like that.
Scorch marks all the way up the curtains where Monty's arse caught fire.
Hello. Excuse me.
Gin.
I need to calm my nerves. They might vote against us.
- How long we gotta wait? - They said half an hour.
You know what we can do? Stick it on Monty.
- Brilliant. - You're a genius.
In that case, I'll have a double.
Babycham.
- Double gin. - Eddie.
- Excuse me. - What do you want, Rita?
Where's she gone? Most probably needs some air.
Can we have Babycham?
I've come to say sorry.
I mean, I thought about what you said and
you were right, I suppose.
You are right.
And it's amazing what you've done, Rita O'Grady.
And I wanna back you. See, I was gonna tell you that.
Only then when I come in and you were speaking
and I heard you up there, and you was huge.
You was...
I don't know.
Like a force.
Then I thought
I'm not sure me backing you makes that much difference, to be honest.
Where you are now.
Anyway, go on, you go back to your meeting.
I'm gonna... I should...
Eddie?
You've said some pretty stupid things in your time.
Of course you backing me makes a difference.
It makes all the difference in the world.
Very good, gentlemen.
The results of the vote are as follows:
Delegates in favor of support for the women machinists:
Seventy-nine.
Delegates against:
Forty-eight.
I declare the motion carried in favor of the Dagenham machinists.
Their bloody unions are back in line.
It's verbatim. Our man was there.
Well, well, well.
It really does seem time to call in Sir Jack.
Good. I'll do that, then.
I'll set up a court of inquiry which he can oversee
and let's hope that does the trick.
Oh, yes. One more thing. Set up a meeting, will you?
Minister? With the machinists.
Their leaders. Pardon me?
I want to meet them. At the earliest opportunity.
But... Yes?
The minister doesn't do that... Never has done.
It'll just encourage them. Give credence to their cause.
I am what is known as a fiery redhead.
Now, I hate to make this a matter of appearance
and go all womanly on you, but there you have it.
And me standing up like this is, in fact,
just that redheaded fieriness leaping to the fore.
Credence? I will give credence to their cause?
My God, their cause already has credence!
It is equal pay. Equal pay is common justice
and if you two weren't such a pair of egotistical, chauvinistic,
bigoted dunderheads, you would realize that.
Oh, my office is run by incompetents.
And I am sick of being patronized, spoken down to
and generally treated as if I was the May queen.
Set up the meeting!
Morning, Ed. All right, Albert?
Yeah.
Now, listen. Listen to me.
Now, there's no reason to panic, Rita.
Okay.
Only, I've had a call from Barbara Castle's office.
Oh, my God.
Eddie. What's happened now?
Barbara Castle wants to talk to me.
Well done.
Cheers.
The secretary of state is seeing the women? On whose authority?
On her own, apparently. I gather Mrs. Castle is quite a forceful woman.
Is she? What are you doing?
I represent Ford. We are the biggest car manufacturer in the world.
We pump millions of pounds into the U.K. Economy.
I think it's time my bosses reminded one or two people of that fact.
Have you or have you not invited the Ford women to your offices?
Prime Minister... I've just spent the last half-hour
on the phone to Ford, reassuring him that my government
isn't on the side of the strikers. It isn't taking sides.
We have to grasp the nettle. Now is not the time.
Ten years ago, you were adamant.
I wasn't running the country then.
See the women if that's what you want to do.
But whatever you do, do not upset Ford.
I've got enough trouble with the Americans as it is.
It's all right. It's your missus I'm after. Is she in?
Rita? What are you doing here?
Rita?
I need a favor.
Come in. Thanks.
Lisa? What?
Come inside.
Everything all right? Want a cup of tea?
Yeah.
Rita. Smile, please.
Over here, ladies.
Excuse me, gotta get through.
Do you think the strike will go on? How long?
Rita. Wait a minute.
Hey, Connie. Sorry I'm late.
You made it.
What if Mrs. Castle says "no deal"? How will you cope?
Cope? How will we cope?
We're women. Now, don't ask such stupid questions.
Ladies, ladies. Come up. This way, please.
Come on, this is it. All right. See you later.
Stay back, please, gentlemen.
Follow me.
Mr. Tooley. Madam Secretary.
I wasn't expecting you. But you are meeting with the women.
I think it is time I heard their argument, yes.
But if you would care to wait, I will inform you of any decisions we make.
I think we both want the same thing, Mrs. Castle, you and I.
I think we wanna see Ford Motors employing British workers.
Ford is a vital part of our economy. I am well aware of that.
Then don't make us build our cars elsewhere. Help us hold the line here.
Support our efforts to combat these constant strikes
which undermine our ability to build cars at a profit,
which is why we're in business in the first place.
Otherwise, we will take our factories elsewhere.
Are you threatening me, Mr. Tooley?
I'm trying to stop 40,000 people from losing their jobs, Mrs. Castle.
That's how many workers Ford employs.
Not to mention tens of thousands of peripheral jobs sacrificed.
Now, I don't think that either one of us wants to take that risk, surely.
Look, look. Eileen and Monica. I wonder if they can see us.
Get me the prime minister.
Yes. Put me through to Number 10.
Yes. Yes. Fine. Thank you.
I'm afraid he's on a plane. Won't land until this evening.
Thanks for coming.
Connie, I'm so sorry. No, don't.
It's me who needs to apologize. Don't be silly.
The minister will see you now.
Here we go.
You all right?
Ready?
Good afternoon. Good afternoon.
Mrs. O'Grady, I recognize you from the news.
Rita, please. Rita.
Very pleased to meet you. Well, and me, you.
Sorry. This is Connie. Connie.
- How do you do? - Brenda.
How do you do?
Sandra.
Well, I'm delighted you could all come. Please, take a seat.
Would you care for a sherry?
Be lovely, thank you.
Thank you.
You haven't got any whiskey, have you?
Here's a woman after my own heart.
Make that two.
Thank you.
Well, cheers.
Cheers. Cheers.
Now, I've been following your dispute very closely
and I want to say how proud I am of the battle that you fought.
I fully support the struggle for equal pay and you will have it.
But in time. What?
Industry'll object, the lords will kick up a fuss,
the press will have a field day. It's not going to be easy.
Well, what is what's worth fighting for?
Return to work. Go back to your machines
and you have my word I will push forward with your fight.
No. Mrs. O'Grady...
No, we need something solid. Something now.
You've got the authority. You know, we thought seeing you, we'd...
In politics, you sometimes have to play the long game...
We ain't politicians, we're working women.
And so are you.
Very well.
What would it take to get you back?
Excuse me?
The "something solid."
And mark well, I say something, not everything.
Well, we'd need...
We'd need a guarantee that we're gonna get equal pay.
And in the meantime,
we need to move much closer to the male rate. Now. At Ford.
Seventy-five percent?
Ninety.
At least.
You're putting me in a very difficult position.
I wasn't too aggressive, was I?
No.
Mr. Tooley, that risk you were talking about? I'm going to have to take it.
And from Whitehall we're getting news that talks between Mrs. Castle
and the striking Ford machinists are nearing a conclusion.
And a statement is expected in the next few minutes.
Intense interest here...
Just a moment please, minister. Yes, of course.
That's Biba, isn't it? I saw that in a magazine.
Yeah. I have to give it back at the end of the day.
Is that C&A? Yes.
Why pay more? That's what I say. Well, exactly.
I've got the same one at home. Have you really?
They're ready for you now, minister.
Girls?
Rita? Rita?
Ladies. No, after you.
Oh, no, no. After you.
Oh, gosh.
Come on, then. Thank you.
Rita, is it a positive result?
Now, ladies, can I help?
Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you very much.
I am delighted to announce that following our talks this afternoon,
the 187 Ford machinists
will be going back to work on the first of July.
They will receive an immediate pay rise of 7 pence an hour.
Which will put them at 92 percent of the male rate.
However... However, this is not all.
As a result of our discussion, I can confirm
that the government is in full support of the creation of an Equal Pay Act.
And by the autumn of this year, I guarantee appropriate legislation
to ensure that that act becomes law. Thank you.
Yeah!
More support from the back there.
To celebrate, they let us have the canteen, and we had a party.
I don't remember much of that. No, I remember you didn't, no.
And I thought to myself, there is some of the old spirit
that gave us the success of the suffragettes.
- We are on strike. - All of you?
All of us. All us machinists, anyway.
So no car seat covers for Fords? No, not from us, anyway.
You're still staying out? Yeah.
You're not going back at all? No.
Nobody expected us to come out on strike. Nobody.
What we're fighting for, we'll stay there until we get it.
Women don't make a habit of coming out on strike for nothing.
Well, we didn't think we were that strong.
We didn't think we would bring Fords to a standstill.
It was all down to us. Us ladies.
And we are ladies, whatever anybody else may say.
We are ladies.
Everybody out!