Made in Dagenham

This film contains strong language.

CHATTERING

KEYS RATTLING

MUSIC: "Israelites" by Desmond Dekker & The Aces

Dagenham, on London's River Thames,

is one of the great anvils of the motor industry.

At this and other plants, Ford of Britain

shape and fashion 3,000 cars every day.

The biggest single motor manufacturer in all Europe

and the fourth biggest in the world.

Ford of Britain can produce 3,100 vehicles a day

and 1.5 million of the Ford Cortinas...

Under the stylish bonnet, a smooth, silent V4 engine.

Luxurious seats. Handsome all around.

Slip away in style.

Located in five European countries,

Ford facilities now occupy more than seven square miles,

with a total covered floor space of almost 42 million square feet.

CHATTERING

Bloody hell, Eileen, you got more support there than the Arsenal.

-At least I ain't got bee stings for tits.

-Oh, all right. Cheeky.

-RADIO:

-'Desmond Dekker stirring up a storm with the Israelites

'on the hottest day of the year so far.

'So girls, don't forget your bikinis and try and stay cool.'

BUZZER BLARES

MACHINES WHIRRING

Here we go.

Connie? When you get a moment, can you just have a walkthrough?

Later, love. Just give me five minutes to settle in.

Morning. Morning, morning.

-Everything all right?

-Yeah, I overslept.

How's George?

Don't ask. I've been up half the night.

You're all right, you've got time.

Man!

BUZZER BLARES

CHATTERING AND CHEERING

Ladies, if I could interrupt you a second...

-Come on. Get yourselves covered up.

-Please, ladies. Behave.

Cover yourselves. Cover yourselves up.

-Oh, here he is.

-What if your husbands saw you?

-WOMEN WHOOP

-What would they say, eh?

Come on, girls, girls, girls, this is important!

Thank you, Connie. Thank you.

Shut up! Just shut up.

Do you want to hear what I've got to say or not?

-ALL: Yeah.

-Right.

Now, listen.

To quote Winston Churchill himself,

this ain't the end. It ain't even the beginning of the end.

Oh, for fuck's sake, get on with it.

WOMEN LAUGH

-Get on!

-Look, ladies, please.

-I'm doing me best.

-Oh, come on.

Now, the deadline we set the management

to respond to our complaint

about how they've regraded you unskilled...

ANGRY CHATTERING Shh!

..has now passed. Shut up!

Which means you've got to vote,

on the threat we made in the original communique.

An immediate ban on all overtime. Right?

And a one-day stoppage to take place on the 29th of May.

All right? You got that? Right, now,

those for industrial action, hands up.

ALL: Yeah!

Against?

ALBERT LAUGHS

WOMEN CHEER

Full house!

I'm seeing the management first thing tomorrow morning,

and I shall inform them of your decision.

Isn't he gorgeous?

-We did it.

-First time for everything, eh?

Fuck them. Every other bugger round here

goes on strike, why shouldn't we?

Just don't put it like that if you get interviewed by David Frost.

-Oooh, David Frost!

-I know what you think about him.

It's a bit scary, isn't it?

-I feel quite proud of us.

-You should.

I fought Rommel in the war, you know?

I wasn't once scared like I am when I walk in there, I tell you.

MUSIC: "Wolly Bully" by Sam The Sham And The Pharaoh

-Happy birthday, Sandra.

-Thanks, Eddie.

-Isn't it lovely what they did?

-Come on, get up.

Are you coming, George?

-No.

-Go on then.

-Come on, you come.

-Connie!

-Spoilsport.

Happy birthday, darling.

-Thanks.

-Happy birthday.

-Have a wonderful time.

-Thanks, Albert.

MUSIC DIES

ALL GROAN

-Oh, leave it out, Dave!

-It's all right, it's the fuse box.

-Calm down.

-Of course it's the bleeding fuse box.

-ALBERT:

-Right!

-Oh, no, here he goes.

Altogether now.

HE PLAYS PIANO

It's bloody Liberace.

ALL: # My old man says follow the van

# And don't dilly-dally on the way... #

MUSIC RESUMES OVER SPEAKERS

Oh, gawd.

Where do you reckon Brenda's got to?

Where do you think?

-You're joking!

-No.

MOANING

Your trim. That'll be hanging right off in a week or two.

And I bet I know the girl what sewed it, and all.

Come on, then. Chop-chop, or we'll miss the buffet.

LAUGHTER

-Want another one, anyone?

-I'll have one.

-Yeah.

-George?

-No.

-I'll be up all night.

-Come on, mate.

-Connie, yeah?

-Yeah, yeah. Please.

Come on. Just a little one.

G&T, half a mild. Dave? Ta.

-Port and lemon.

-Who's next on the dance floor?

You sure you don't want to sit down, Sandra?

Are you joking? I want a snowball.

Come on, George, you ain't even tripped the old, uh... Come on.

-No, no, no. It's all right.

-Please!

Do you mind, George, if I have this one?

Like to keep me hand in. Jitterbug, twist, all them.

You be careful. We need you on top form tomorrow.

What you talking about?

Fantastic.

-No, no, no. Not being funny.

-All right. All right.

-Good night.

-Thanks, mate.

Sandra. Sandra!

-Happy birthday.

-Shush!

-Good night.

-Be good.

Hang on. I don't live here.

-Wait.

-What?

-Now, what was that for?

-Nothing. I just like you, that's all.

-Yeah? Come here.

-Hey!

-Oi, oi, oi!

-LAUGHING

-What are you doing?

-Not out here.

-You're better than that, are you?

-Actually, yeah, I am.

Ooof!

HE LAUGHS

BBC RADIO 1 JINGLE PLAYS ON RADIO

MUSIC ON RADIO: "Tiger" by Brian Auger and the Trinity

CLATTERING

RADIO RETUNES

Graham? Graham. Breakfast.

There you go.

-I don't feel very well.

-Don't you?

-You're not hot, love.

-It's my stomach.

OK, what's wrong with your hand?

Nothing.

Well, give us a look, then.

No.

I never done nothing. Honest.

Mr Clarke again?

It'll be fine, OK?

Now, eat some breakfast and get dressed. I'll deal with it.

Sharon? Chop-chop.

-Eddie. Come on, lover boy.

-No, no, just clear off, I'm dying.

We're all dying. We've all got to go to work.

HE GRUNTS

Eddie?

BOTH YELLING

Oh, you cheeky cow. Come here!

God.

Balls.

Balls, balls, balls. Bollocks.

Yes?

Mr Clarke? Can I have a word?

Of course. How can I help?

You hit my son.

On his hand. Caned him.

And it ain't the first time.

Ah, yes. O'Grady. I remember.

Forgot his protractor. And it isn't the first ti...

Don't care whether it's the hundredth time. I don't want you doing it.

You live on the estate, don't you?

-I don't see what that's got...

-We find that those boys

who come to us from the estate often have difficulty

in adjusting to the standards of behaviour

required in a school like this.

It isn't really their fault.

Their parents have never undergone the full rigour of academic life.

The boys can hardly look to them for guidance, can they?

But they do adapt in time.

And I'm sure your son will too, if he's just given the chance.

But thank you for your concern, Mrs O'Grady.

-Are you all right?

-Fuck off.

THUNDER CRASHING

-Hold on, is this Sandra's?

-Yeah, I know.

Connie? Con?

Sandra's at it again, look.

-You've got to say something.

-She hasn't.

You've got to talk to her.

Don't wave at us, you silly cow. We're moaning about you.

-I'll do it.

-No, you can't keep covering for her.

-I'll talk to her.

-Will you?

RAIN PATTERS AGAINST ROOF

Here it comes. Oh, no.

-Look at that.

-We might as well not have a roof.

How many times have we asked them to fix this?

It's not difficult, is it?

-Connie, listen.

-Albert...

I'm sorry, I didn't realise. Oh, my God.

-I didn't realise. I'm sorry. Oh, God.

-You were saying?

There's a meeting tomorrow.

At Ford's headquarters down in Warley.

-You're joking.

-I'm not.

Machinists threatening strike action, they couldn't believe it.

-Oh, yes!

-Yeah.

We'll have to make a good strategy.

They'll have Hopkins and Jones and Grant, miserable sod.

Now, who have we got on our side? We've got, um,

Monty Taylor from the head office, he's coming.

There's me, two. You, Con, three.

-Well, that leaves us one short.

-Why?

Little principle I picked up in the war, Eileen.

Turn up with more on your side than they've got on their side

and turn up when they're least expecting it.

So who's going to make the fourth man?

-Oh, not me.

-I'm not going.

Any takers? No?

-You want it?

-Fuck off!

-THEY LAUGH

Come on. It's a day off.

-Oh, actually...

-Yeah, you all want to go now.

Yeah. I ain't having that.

What?

-Yeah!

-Go on, Rita. Day off.

-Go on, Rita.

-You'd be great, Rita.

Go on, then.

Yeah, right. What do you have to do?

-All right, Gordon?

-Hello, Sandra.

-Don't know where you're going with them.

-It's the new Escort.

-They've finally designed something people like.

-They can get fucked.

-That's right.

-We ain't working no overtime.

Me and the boys were saying we'd have gone on strike

just having to turn up in a pig hole like this.

-You know it's raining in here, don't you?

-Yeah, yeah. Whatever.

-See you tomorrow, Connie.

-I think he likes you.

-TV:

-'It's going, it's going. The police are being pushed backwards.

'There's screaming now. Absolute hysteria.

'Now you can see the banners are being used as clubs...'

SHE CHANGES CHANNEL

'No, look what you're doing!'

-Sharon?

-'It's all over my shirt.'

-Turn the telly off now, there's a good girl.

-Mum...

-Now, please.

Wake your dad up.

Wake up, Dad.

MUSIC PLAYING ON TV

Right. Come on, you two. Pull your finger out. Help your mum.

Oi, square eyes, what have I told you?

Dad, Martine Clarke's got colour. I've seen it.

Martine Clarke's got colour, has she?

We'll have to go round her house and watch it after tea, won't we?

Her mum'll be pleased.

Look, we'll have colour soon. Once you can rent them.

Eddie, don't go promising colour.

We haven't even paid for the fridge yet.

And the three piece is still on tick.

-Now we've got all this unrest at work.

-What unrest?

Oh, that? You had a vote, Rita.

Unrest is when you actually come out and strike. Blimey.

No, don't look like that. I'm only joking.

All right.

I'm proud of you. We all are, aren't we?

Sticking to your guns. We had a book going on the shop floor.

No-one thought you'd even take the vote, so...

Yeah, good on you. Well done.

Ain't just a vote now.

Got a meeting tomorrow, all the bosses.

And I'm going.

Eh?

It's all right, I'll plate your tea up in the morning

and then if I'm back late, you can just heat it through.

Apparently, you go to a Berni Inn on the way there.

-That's snazzy.

-Isn't it?

It'll be all right, won't it?

Yeah, of course.

We don't have to do anything. The men will do all the talking.

No, I mean, it's not too posh in there, is it?

-I'm wearing the right stuff?

-No, you'll be fine.

I'm so glad you're here.

-After you, ladies.

-Gentlemen.

Thank you.

-Here you are, sir.

-Lovely.

-Do you ever worry about your waist?

-You're joking!

(That's steak. Bearnaise sauce.)

It's Monty. He always insists on coming here.

As long as the union's paying.

LAUGHING

HE CLEARS THROAT

-Rita.

-Yeah?

Word of advice.

When we get there, don't let them lure you in.

If they seem to be asking you a question,

keep your head down. I'll handle it.

Above all, if I nod, you nod. Got that?

Right.

-That nice, was it?

-It's lovely, thank you.

I couldn't eat another thing.

Oh. Mr Dawson. I'm sorry, we weren't expecting you until...

It's quite all right. It's no problem.

Oh, and there's four of us. You might need an extra chair.

Right.

Two teas.

On a previous occasion,

in a free vote, the girls agreed to the new grading structure.

They did not agree, however, as to where they would end up on it.

Which is why we're sitting round this table.

Look, I understand what the girls are saying. I just don't...

I'd rather you didn't speak for the girls, Mr Hopkins.

None of us here knows what's in their heads.

The fact remains there's a formal grievance procedure in place

and the machinists' case will be heard.

What we can't do is let them jump the queue.

Peter, look,

you know me. I ain't got no axe to grind with Ford.

-Am I right or am I right?

-You've always been very fair.

Exactly. Ah, we're all men of the world.

Let's cut to the chase, shall we? We'll reconvene in two weeks' time.

-Monty...

-Listen.

We'll reconvene, we'll come back down here again for the day

and then at that point you can guarantee

to look into the girls' complaint.

-The thing is, Monty...

-That way

you can go back to your bosses and say that the strike's off

because of how you've handled today's negotiations.

We can go back to the girls and say they're now your number-one priority

in a few weeks' time.

That seems very fair.

Yeah, well, I'm not so sure the girls'll be too happy.

The girls will be fine.

As long as they know they're not being fobbed off by the management.

The union's setting the terms. That's what's important.

-(Bollocks.)

-What?

I'm sorry, Albert, but it is.

Three hours we've been sat here.

"That's what matters to the girls"?

How you're qualified to talk about that, I do not know.

Here. Have a look at this.

There.

You put them together. Go on.

-It's Ford property, I believe.

-Oh, stop it.

We have to take all these different pieces

and work out how they go together.

Because there ain't no template, is there?

We have to take them and sew them all freehand into the finished article.

The same with the door trim and God knows what else.

That is not unskilled work, which is how you've regraded us.

Christ, you need to take an exam to get on our line.

-Please, miss, I...

-No, it's Mrs O'Grady.

Mrs O'Grady, I understand your grievance...

Well, I really don't think you do. It's not difficult, though.

We're entitled to semi-skilled and the wages what go with it.

-Why don't you bring this to the meeting...

-Hang on. I haven't finished.

And as regards to this queue-jumping business, well,

we put this complaint in months ago, didn't we?

It's just you've done nothing about it.

And we all know why.

It's because women have never been on strike before, isn't it?

You just thought you could forget it and we'd all go away.

Well, I'm sorry,

but it isn't going to be that easy because we're not going anywhere.

We're going to do what we said we would.

No more overtime and an immediate 24-hour stoppage.

And where it goes from there, well, it's up to you.

If you'll excuse me, I've really got to be going. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, gentlemen. Thank you.

Do you think I like looking stupid?

I didn't know what she was going to do!

You didn't know they were stuck in her handbag, she'd pull them out?

-Look at his face.

-Oh, don't worry, you were great.

Thank you very much, Albert. Thank you very much(!)

I knew, I knew. It's up here, you see.

I wanted clever, Rita, that's why I picked you.

-Oh, stop it.

-When you pulled out these cuttings,

oh, that was amazing.

It was. I never expected that, that you'd come prepared.

Oh, no, he was right. I was nicking them.

Yeah, Eddie uses them to patch the tent up for when we go camping.

HE CHUCKLES

All the same. Listen, don't worry about Monty, I'll handle him.

-Don't worry.

-Can I have them back?

-Oh, yeah.

Cheers.

MACHINES WHIRRING

What are you going to say to them?

-You tell them.

-You what?

This is your bloody fault.

All right. Hold that.

Right.

Everybody out.

I can't believe it!

THEY CHATTER EXCITEDLY

I could do with a cup of tea.

I could do with something a lot stronger than that.

DOOR SLAMS CLOSED

BIG BEN TOLLS

Now, I realise this is my first day in the job

and it may be that I am missing something here,

but when we were elected two years ago,

it was on a wave of optimism

that Labour would utilise its close relationship with the unions

to develop manufacturing industry so that it would better serve

the employer and the employee.

Yes, I think that was in the manifesto.

It was. Trust me.

So what have you been doing since 1966?

-I...

-Two years this department has had

in which to make a difference!

Shall we see what has been achieved in the last 12 months?

26,000 strikes in the United Kingdom,

with the resulting loss of 5 million working days.

Unions and management barely talking to each other,

productivity levels through the floor,

and our balance of payments the wrong side of catastrophic.

It's hardly the stuff to set the champagne corks popping, is it?

Thank you. See yourselves out.

Here you are, babes, you forgot your flask.

-Aw! Love you, babe, cheers.

-You too, darling. Good luck.

You get stuck in, girls.

-Thank you.

-Thank you!

-Monica, that's yours.

-Cheers, love.

-Yeah, I'm happy with that.

-It's a holiday, innit?

What's this? A mothers' meeting?

Hey, cheeky sod. Are you all right?

-How you getting on?

-Give us half a chance.

-Good luck.

-See you later.

Come on, ladies, let's hear you.

-ALL: Bye. See you later.

-Cheers, Eddie.

What have you done to your eyes?

It's amazing, isn't it? My friend showed me how.

Scouts everywhere. That's how Twiggy got discovered, on the street.

Up west, you dozy sod, not Dagenham.

You never know.

We'd better shut this gate.

I've spelt it right, haven't I?

Close the gate.

CHEERING

I know. At least they know we're serious, eh?

Not quite as helpless as they thought we were.

Come on then, girls.

No more seats today, Mr Ford.

-Come on, girls, let's get together.

-What if we form a line or something?

-Line up there.

-Yeah.

Hold the banners up.

-We need some in the back.

-Standing?

-Like that.

-Come on, then.

That's it.

Here we go.

-Like this?

-Yeah.

They're running low on finished seats.

So get these down to the Cortina line,

then come back for the Escorts.

They're calling. Come on.

-Anyone fancy a cuppa?

-Yeah.

-Tea's up, ladies.

-Come on.

Yeah, put that down a bit.

That's going to hurt your arms.

Get me Tooley.

Stand by, girls, could be trouble.

-Hello, girls.

-What's Brenda got?

Tea's up. Bananas, apples, pears, the lot.

Thanks for the ride, Arthur.

-He's lovely.

-Brenda, you never!

-Why not? He's gorgeous.

-I would.

Just as I was leaving with the fruit, he goes,

"I believe all the workers of the world should unite." So I thought,

"I can help you with that one straight away, mate."

-So I did.

-THEY LAUGH

Hey, Peter. Bobby here. What can I do for you?

We've got another dispute, I'm afraid.

Another one? Who is it this week?

It's the women.

THUNDER CRASHING

GROANING

Quick. Quick, quick.

Come along, girls.

You're going to get soaked, love.

Oh, no. They're going to drip, aren't they?

-It'll be fine. It'll pass.

-What are we going to do now?

-Pubs ain't even open.

-Monica!

Just want to have some chips.

I suppose we've done a full day, haven't we?

-We have, haven't we?

-Yeah.

I have got to get down the dogs later.

Yeah. I did promise my mum I'd cook her tea.

-Did you?

-Yeah.

Oh, sod it. We've registered the protest, haven't we?

Yeah.

-Go on. School's out.

-Yeah!

Home time.

Onwards and upwards, Rita.

-Well done, girls.

-See you!

-Hey, and Rita, well done.

-Eh?

It was your gob what got us here, wasn't it?

LAUGHING

Sandra?

I've just been round your house.

INAUDIBLE

-I've just been round your house.

-Why?

I thought you would've gone home ages ago.

No.

I'm lucky if I can get the lads to hold out for a full hour.

Look, I wanted a little chat.

You fancy a cup of tea?

-I can't. I'm sorry, I've got stuff to...

-I'm buying.

Go on, then. Seeing as it's pelting it down, a quick cuppa won't hurt.

Over there by the window. Over there.

I'm dripping all over the floor.

Come on, Albert, spit it out.

Yeah.

-Sorry.

-It's all right.

This dispute's got nothing to do with what skill level you are.

Ford decided to give you less money because they can.

They're allowed to pay women a lower wage than men.

All over the country, Rita, women are getting less

because they're women.

You'll always come second.

You'll always be fighting over the scraps from the top table.

-Until you...

-We get equal pay, yeah.

Yeah.

What I don't get is why it's so important to you.

I got brought up by my mum. Me and me brothers.

She worked all her life

and she paid my Aunt Lil to take care of us during the day.

And it was hard.

Especially as she was getting less than half

what the blokes at the factory was getting

for doing the same work.

And there was never any question that it could be any different.

Not for her.

Yeah.

Someone has got to stop these exploiting bastards

getting away with what they've been doing for years.

And you can.

You can, Rita, believe me.

What about Connie? I mean, she's shop steward. We voted for her.

But this needs a leader.

Someone to inspire the girls, to make the points clear.

And that ain't Connie. Not at the moment.

Not with George the way he is.

I've already spoke to her. She's more than happy for you to have a go.

More than.

Um...

Look, don't say nothing now.

Just sleep on it. Will you?

-Do you want to wait in here?

-Eh?

-Do you want to wait in here?

-No, you're all right.

-Come on, it's tipping it down. Please.

-I'm dripping.

I know. Get in.

-I'll get it all over your car.

-Come in, quick, quick, quick.

Thank you.

-Oh, my God.

-Gosh, you're soaked.

-I'm so sorry.

-It's fine.

-I'll ruin your car.

-We met before, actually.

-Do you remember, in the corridor?

-Yeah.

I've been hoping to run into you for a day or two, actually.

-Oh, yeah?

-Um...

I was wondering if you'd care to sign a letter.

I'm making a formal complaint

to the headmaster about Mr Clarke's use of the cane.

What?

-He seems to think my son...

-Sorry, I mean...

You were there for the same reason I was?

Yes. He was indiscreet enough to mention why you'd been there.

Of course.

I think he was suggesting we were both hysterical

and desperately needed to calm down.

I had it all straight in my head what I was going to tell him

and what I was going to say.

-It's just...

-Oh, you can't talk to Mr Clarke.

I mean, nobody can. He... You have to listen.

He's a bully. Which is why he beats them.

Yeah.

Yeah. Go on, then. Give us a pen.

Um...

Thanks.

-It's stopped.

-Yeah. That's just my luck, isn't it?

Thanks.

Look, um...

I know you're not mentioning it

because you're being polite. It's just...

You know, when we met in the corridor, I was really upset,

and I never usually use that type of language.

-Don't you?

-No.

Because I called Mr Clarke a complete cock.

Oh. Oh! Did you? Fair enough.

-Well, he is.

-BOTH LAUGH

-Here they come.

-Left a bit of a puddle, now.

It's all right, David's getting in the back.

That dress, I've seen it before, it's lovely. In Vogue.

Oh, thanks. It's, um...it's Biba.

Is it? Well... Well, it's still gorgeous.

MUSIC: "Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers

-Have a good day, yeah?

-You too. Be good.

And you.

Bloody hell, Sandra. I think you've had a bit of shrinkage in the wash.

Hot pants. Mary Quant's.

You should give them back to her, they look fucking painful.

-I think they look lovely.

-Thanks.

It's like what Brenda said, isn't it?

This ain't Knightsbridge, it's Dagenham.

If you want to get spotted, you've got to stand out that bit more.

And that's exactly what I'm going to do.

-Yesterday were great, weren't it?

-Being on strike?

Yeah.

It's a glimpse, isn't it? Of how it could be.

Well, that's what it's about, isn't it?

Pitch bleeding black. I couldn't see me hand in front of me face.

Finally when he turns the lights on, it was actually stuck to me bottom lash.

-She got fired?

-Blimey.

-I'm here, just. Oh, Christ.

-Connie? Con?

-Rita, I...

-No, I just want to say something.

Sorry, I just, um...

If I was to get a bit more involved, you know, with Albert,

it's only because I've got a gob on me.

You're the heartbeat of this place, you always have been.

Rita, look at me, all at sixes and sevens.

You can do this. And you should.

BUZZER BLARES

Here we go.

MACHINES WHIRRING

CHATTERING

Man!

WOMEN WHISTLING AND HOOTING

Oi, oi, Brian!

Hello, Brian.

Is that a cotton bob in your pocket or is it a hard-on?

RAUCOUS LAUGHTER

-What's he doing?

-Having a fiddle.

Here, Con. Pass them out, girls.

-Yeah, come on, Rita.

-Go on, Rita. Give them hell.

WOMEN SHOUT IN SUPPORT

-Ignore it.

-Ignore it?

Standard issue, day after a walkout.

Have you seen the language?

"Your flagrant and aggressive disregard for the existing complaints procedure."

-Tone of that?

-They don't mean it.

-So why are they saying it?

-Cos that's how we've always done it.

All the other strikes. It's like the rules.

Oh, no, no, no. I'm sorry.

Sorry, we ain't playing that game. We ain't your men, remember?

We're us. And we certainly won't be addressed in this manner.

No.

All those in favour of not only maintaining

but increasing our current action

by going to an immediate all-out stoppage

until we get the same rates of pay as the men?

-What?!

-Equal pay?

Well, why not? Because that's what this is really about, isn't it?

We're on the lowest rate in the whole of the bleeding factory

despite the fact we've got considerable skill.

And there's only one possible reason for that.

-It's cos we're women. ALL:

-Yeah.

And in the workplace, women get paid less than men

no matter what skill they got.

Which is why, from now on, we've got to demand a level playing field

and rates of pay which reflect the job you do,

not whether you've got a dick or not.

WOMEN LAUGHING

This strike is about one thing and one thing only - fairness.

-Yeah.

-That's right.

-Equal pay or nothing. ALL:

-Yeah.

All those in favour? ALL CHEER

Everybody out.

Well, it's got nothing to do with me.

ALBERT CHUCKLES

An all-out stoppage?

Also, the specifics of this strike, they've widened out a bit.

Christ.

Shit.

Fucking Ada. Equal pay? What were you thinking, Monty?

It wasn't me, it was Albert. He went behind me back.

-Really, Monty?

-He's a loose cannon.

You want to haul someone over the coals, he's your man.

A bloody troublemaker.

Get him in.

I tried to protect you, Albert.

But you're going to get such a fucking bollocking.

Come on, then.

This is awkward, Albert. You know that, don't you?

It jeopardises a whole raft of other negotiations

that the unions are already at loggerheads with management over.

Look, comrade,

basically, you encouraging these women to get all militant...

It shifts the resources away from the blokes,

who, let's be straight, are the ones at the coalface.

We ain't unsympathetic,

but as a union, we have to remember who comes first.

The Communist Party and Marx himself said,

"Men write their own history." That's "men," Albert.

But didn't he also say,

"Progress can be measured by the social position of the female sex"?

Or was that a different Marx? That was Groucho, was it?

Equal pay across the board.

You telling me that ain't worth fighting for?

Of course it is. And you know it.

I'll tell you something.

This Rita has got a bigger set of balls than you three put together.

And she ain't scared to lay 'em on the line neither.

And I, for one, am going to help her.

And if you are what you say you are,

an organisation pledged to support its members,

then you'll get off your lazy, fat arses and you'll help her too.

Good fucking evening.

They can't expect us to carry on being graded unskilled.

Unskilled, my arse.

MUSIC: "All Or Nothing" by Small Faces

CHATTERING

We're here to put across our point of view

about what's going on and how it ain't fair.

And also about how it's a part of something bigger, much bigger.

What about a little bit of support this way?

Come on, mate.

You might learn something if you just listened.

'The time has come for all women to say enough.'

We do not and we will not accept this any longer.

-Ow!

-Dad, the pan.

Oh... Bollocks! Ow!

No, Daddy didn't mean that.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

That was magnificent. That was wonderful.

Be back in a minute.

RITA: You're doing the same work for Ford here in Liverpool

that we're doing for them down in Dagenham.

So you know that our job is skilled.

Oi. She's a bit of all right.

I'm asking you to think beyond that.

I'm asking you to strike now for all women, not just machinists.

Leave him alone. He's got to concentrate. You've got work to do.

-Go, get back.

-Have a word with him, eh?

And what is right is that every single one of us

is entitled to the same pay as men.

-WOMEN:

-Yeah!

That's my girl.

Will all those in favour please put your hands in the air now?

-ALL:

-Yeah!

RITA: Hiya.

How'd you get on?

We slaughtered them. Every single one of them came out.

It was incredible though, Eddie.

Well done.

I'll go and check on the kids. Give them a quick kiss good night.

VACUUM CLEANER HUMMING

Going to take some money, all right?

Oh, no. What happened?

Dad.

Tell him to give it another go, yeah?

I'm off. See you later. You're all right taking them to school, aren't you?

-Of course.

-You're all right with that?

-Everything's all right, isn't it?

-Yeah, why wouldn't it be?

No reason. Have a good day. See you later.

This is me last one.

-Eh?

-The shirt, I just noticed.

Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot.

Forgot washing Monday. I'll do it tonight, yeah?

Right.

-Take care of your dad.

-Bye, Mum.

Have a good day.

CLATTERING Oh, dear.

Come on. Come on, girls.

WOMEN CHANTING: Equal pay!

Equal pay!

Equal pay!

-Which way?

-Wait a minute.

No, Ri, it's here. It's down this way.

-It must be up here.

-Anyone got a map?

There.

-There it is.

-Oh, my God.

Oh, here we are. Here we go.

CHANTING: We want respect. We want respect.

We want respect. We want respect.

Get the banner up. Look, get that...

-There.

-Equal pay for women!

CAR HORNS HONKING

-MAN:

-I'll support you.

-WOMAN:

-Thank you for your support.

Equal pay for women.

Women workers for equal pay.

-We want respect.

-MAN: Darling, over here.

WOMAN SHOUTS: We want respect!

-Hey!

-Hello.

I finish at 4. Give us a call, love?

This is unbelievable. I never thought we'd get this backing.

Show us what you got.

Hold on, girls!

We're not entirely unfurled, look.

-MAN:

-Don't we all?

I know the feeling.

Don't look, boys.

NEWSREADER: 'In their campaign for equal pay,

'striking women workers at Ford's Dagenham factory

'brought their protest to Westminster today.

'Some didn't need much persuasion

'to demonstrate their feminine charms for the photographers.'

It's interesting, all this politics, when you get down to it. Oh, sorry.

-How long are the girls prepared to stay out?

-It must be starting to bite.

-As long as it takes.

-Does your husband support you?

-He has to.

-Yeah.

Yes, of course he does.

-And we all supported the men when they went out on strike.

-Yeah.

Does it bother you that you've been described as the Revlon revolutionary?

WOMEN LAUGHING

Have they been in touch about doing some modelling?

I don't think so. I think you're talking to the wrong girl,

'actually...

'No, I prefer to focus on the issues of the strike, if that's all right.

'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've got to get going.

-What, already?

I've got to fetch the kids.

Rita reckons they ain't going to be back till gone six,

-so I need to get them sorted.

-Yeah, yeah. Get your apron.

Shut up, you.

Tell her to get her finger out. It's gone on long enough now.

I don't think they're deliberately dragging it out.

It's all right for you and him,

it's different for me.

I can't be doing with this blasted 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.

BUZZER BLARES

You lot are a bit early, aren't you?

-Hey, what's going on?

-You've shut the factory.

Well done(!)

NEWSREADER: 'Ford's Dagenham. The vast 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 a satisfactory answer to the rift

'between management and Ford's women machinists,

'the factory gates will remain closed indefinitely

'to the entire workforce.'

-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 nice warm weather at the moment.

If they 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?

-Eh?

Have you got something on your mind?

No, 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 even think she's a communist. She looks...

'I don't care if she looks like Jane fucking Fonda.

'I want to know why she's acting like this.'

As a matter of fact, sir, 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? Ha! 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.'

-FORD HANGS UP

Guess you'll be getting the next flight, huh, Bobby?

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, until I can regulate the unions,

I cannot get this country back to work.

I understand that, but we need to tread carefully. Draw the unions in.

Minister, we have to acknowledge that without the unions,

-there would be no Labour Party.

-Hm.

Young man, I was a member of the trade union movement

while you were still at your mother's breast.

So unless you've got something to add beyond the blindingly 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, Barbara, 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 round 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.

187 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 so 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 want to 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 and that seems to me to be

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, 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 you 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, I'll have it.

Oh, all right then.

Sandra, cauliflower or cabbage?

-I'm fine, thanks.

-Come on, take one.

No, I'm all right.

I've got to 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, Rita, it ain't all your responsibility.

Yeah, I know. I want to see her anyway.

-Is that real pineapple?

-You bet.

-Can I have some?

-Go on, help yourself.

-See you.

-See you.

-Bye.

-See you later, Rita.

Come on, girls, get stuck in.

There you go. Go on.

-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 both 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 got to 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've got to give up on him.

You've got a life too, you know.

You've got to live it.

Or the war's going to end up destroying two people.

GEORGE GASPS

GEORGE GASPS AND GROANS

George. George. Shh, shh.

GEORGE YELLS

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 going to put me away!

George! Stop it. Stop. Stop. Stop!

GEORGE SOBS

I'm sorry.

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. See, 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 too, then, 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.

So I'd start thinking a little less about what your union can do for you

and a little 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.

PHONE RINGS

-SANDRA:

-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?

Eh?

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.

You know, 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 all the lads have been made redundant, they're going to be nervous.

And Monty, Ford's has rattled him, I can tell.

So be careful what news you share with him, right?

-That's our fridge.

-Bingo.

-Excuse me.

-What's going on?

-We ain't paid the HP.

-Eh?

Last of mine went in the electric bill. How are you set?

What, you want me to hold the door open for you now?

Go on. I'll make life a little bit easier for you.

-You spent the money.

-Eh?

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.

-You should've told him we didn't have it.

-Right.

I'm in charge of the money.

You 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 yous lot were back at work.

-Can you come in now?

-In a minute, love.

-No, no, we're still on strike.

-Oh, right.

-Please?

-Sharon...

-It's just 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 got to 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.

OK, chin up for me. Find this light up here.

Find the birdie. There we go.

That's a little bit sexy. OK, 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 want to get back...?

-I need a minute, I'm sorry.

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 want to 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, and you go back to work?

Only you haven't gone back to work, have you? So...

-Yeah, but if they don't use these photos unless I...

-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?

Ah...

No?

Hi, Mum.

Mum, we've got to go.

Yes. Sorry, darling.

-You're going, are you?

-You know I am. I said.

Rita asked me to go special.

You've got to fight for what you believe in, George.

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.

Only, they're not being solid. The men want to return to work.

So they're telling their unions to withdraw support,

to 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.

The 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.

HE COUGHS

We've got to go to Eastbourne and talk to them first, before he does.

"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.

-CONNIE:

-No! No, George!

No!

Connie! Connie!

Connie...

-Oh, George!

-Connie! Connie, let me in!

It's OK. Dear God!

May the blessing of God Almighty,

the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

be with you always. Amen.

ALL: 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.

-Yeah, 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?