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1968 Ford Strike: Pioneering Women's Fight for Equal Pay

12/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The 1968 Ford Dagenham strike by 187 sewing machinists highlighted women's campaign for the Sex Discrimination Act.
They protested that their work was graded B instead of C.
Barbara Castle intervened, leading to a pay increase over two years.
In 1984, after another strike, a panel classified the job as grade C under the 1983 Equal Value Regulations, officially recognizing their skills.

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Story summary

The 1968 Ford Dagenham strike by 187 sewing machinists highlighted women's campaign for the Sex Discrimination Act.
They protested that their work was graded B instead of C.
Barbara Castle intervened, leading to a pay increase over two years.
In 1984, after another strike, a panel classified the job as grade C under the 1983 Equal Value Regulations, officially recognizing their skills.