Key Takeaways
- The 1968 strike by 187 sewing machinists at Ford’s Dagenham Plant was a pivotal moment in the campaign for equal pay and recognition of women’s work.
- The strike was not primarily about equal pay, but rather about the grading of their work as semi-skilled and the subsequent undervaluation of their labor.
- The machinists’ grievance was not fully addressed until 1984, when they made a claim under the Equal Value (Amendment) Regulations of 1983 and won recognition of the skill and value of their work.
- The campaign for equal pay and recognition of women’s work was a key part of the broader movement to make illegal various forms of legal discrimination against women in services and the workplace.
Introduction to the Campaign
The campaign to make illegal various forms of legal discrimination against women in services and the workplace was a long and arduous one, involving the efforts of many dedicated women. One of the key groups of women who played a crucial role in this campaign were the 187 sewing machinists at Ford’s Dagenham Plant, who in 1968, went on strike to protest the grading of their work as grade B. This strike was a pivotal moment in the campaign for equal pay and recognition of women’s work, and its impact was felt for many years to come.
The 1968 Strike
The 1968 strike by the sewing machinists was not, as is often claimed, primarily about equal pay. Rather, it was about the grading of their work as grade B, which the machinists believed was an undervaluation of their labor. The machinists argued that their work was at least semi-skilled and should have been graded C. The strike brought the Ford production line to a halt, and the company was forced to negotiate with the machinists. Barbara Castle, a key figure in the campaign for equal pay, was brought in to negotiate with the machinists, and an agreement was reached that would raise their pay to 100% of the male grade B rate over two years.
The Legacy of the Strike
Despite the agreement reached in 1968, the machinists’ grievance was not fully addressed until 1984, when they made a claim under the Equal Value (Amendment) Regulations of 1983. A panel under the auspices of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service unanimously evaluated the machinists’ job as grade C, finally recognizing the skill and value of their work. This victory was a significant milestone in the campaign for equal pay and recognition of women’s work, and it paved the way for further progress in the years to come.
The Broader Context
The campaign for equal pay and recognition of women’s work was part of a broader movement to make illegal various forms of legal discrimination against women in services and the workplace. The Sex Discrimination Act, which was passed in 1975, was a key piece of legislation in this movement, and it prohibited discrimination on the grounds of sex in employment, education, and other areas. The Act was the result of many years of campaigning by women’s groups and individuals, who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the issues and to push for change.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 1968 strike by the sewing machinists at Ford’s Dagenham Plant was a pivotal moment in the campaign for equal pay and recognition of women’s work. The strike was not primarily about equal pay, but rather about the grading of their work as semi-skilled and the subsequent undervaluation of their labor. The machinists’ grievance was not fully addressed until 1984, when they made a claim under the Equal Value (Amendment) Regulations of 1983 and won recognition of the skill and value of their work. The campaign for equal pay and recognition of women’s work was a key part of the broader movement to make illegal various forms of legal discrimination against women in services and the workplace, and it continues to be an important issue today.