Equal Pay - 50 Years On



Glasgow GMB posted this timely reminder on Facebook that the fight for equal pay is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago. 

The message for Glasgow City Council is 'Get Your Act Together' and bring forward serious proposals for resolving this dispute which has been allowed to drag on for far too long.

The time has come for Scotland's largest council to 'walk the walk' instead of just talking the talk when it comes to equal pay for work of equal value.

Glasgow GMB 

50 years ago today, the Ford Dagenham machinists strike took place. 187 machinists at Ford’s Dagenham plant walked out and onto the picket line because they were being paid less than their male colleagues.

50 years later, we're still fighting the same fight; for equal pay, for employers to recognise the value of women's work.

It is difficult to see the wider picture when you're in the middle of the fight but we know that the current fight for equal pay in Glasgow will be, and already is, iconic. 

Local Councils time and time again undervalue essential work such as cleaning, catering and home care. We could give Councils the benefit of the doubt but ultimately, we know it is because these jobs are dominated by women and Councils don't believe women will fight back.

Well Glasgow women are putting an end to that myth once and for all. This will be the last year where women are underpaid and undervalued. Our work is essential, we deserve proper pay and we will fight for it, STRIKE for it, if we need to.

Solidarity!



  

Made in Dagenham (September 17th 2011)



A new film is to be released next month which tells the story of the struggle for equal pay in 1968 - by a group of women at the Ford car plant in Dagenham.

An inspiring story - by all accounts - it tells the tale of 187 women machine workers who walked out of the Dagenham car plant in 1968 - when their work was downgraded as 'unskilled' - and their demand for the same pay grading as the men in the factory was refused.

Directed by Nigel Cole of Calendar Girls, the film has a great British cast - including Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Rosamund Pike, Rupert Graves, Geraldine James, Miranda Richardson and John Sessions.

The idea for the film came about when the women behind the original protest - appeared on Radio 4's The Reunion programme.

Made in Dagenham stars the award winning Sally Hawkins as Rita O'Grady - who is the catalyst for the 1968 strike - which took place only two years before Equal Pay Act was introduced in 1970.

Working in poor conditions and for long hours, the women at the Ford Dagenham plant finally laid down their tools - in protest at their second class treatment compared to their male colleagues.

With humour, common sense and courage they take on their corporate paymasters, an increasingly belligerent local community, and finally the government of the day.

The leader of the women's struggle is fast-talking, no nonsense Rita whose fiery temper and occasionally hilarious unpredictability - proves to be a match for any of her male opponents.

I imagine the film will be a hit with everyone who has been involved in the struggle for equal pay some 40 years on - with Action 4 Equality Scotland.

The same battle that was waged in 1968 has essentially had to be fought all over again - only this time on behalf of low paid council workers in Scotland.

Popular posts from this blog

SNP - Conspiracy of Silence

LGB Rights - Hijacked By Intolerant Zealots!