A Design Honoring the Ford Women of Dagenham
The June 2024 T-Shirt of the Month pays tribute to one of the most remarkable labor struggles in British history. On June 7, 1968, 187 women at the Ford plant in Dagenham, near London, walked off the job. They sewed car seats, yet their work was officially classified as “unskilled.” Men doing very similar tasks were considered “skilled” and therefore earned more. For the women this was an obvious injustice. They demanded what they rightfully deserved: equal pay for equal work.
A factory brought to a halt
Even though the thousands of male employees continued working, car production came to a complete stop. Without the seats, no vehicles could be completed. In another Ford plant, around 200 women joined the strike in solidarity. The Dagenham machinists had shown that they were part of a struggle that reached far beyond their own workshop.
Mixed reactions
The strike received different reactions. Some men expressed support and encouraged the women. Others mocked them, arguing that women’s wages were nothing more than “pin money.” One of the strikers, Eileen Pullen, gave a clear answer to this insult. She explained that women’s wages were needed to support families, pay mortgages, and cover bills. They were essential to everyday life and not a luxury. Her statement highlighted the seriousness of the fight for fair pay.
A first breakthrough and long-term change
After three weeks, Ford finally agreed to negotiate following government mediation. The women secured a pay rise to 92 percent of the male rate, compared to 85 percent before the strike. This was not full equality, but it was a historic breakthrough. More importantly, it sparked a nationwide debate that led directly to the Equal Pay Act of 1970, which for the first time made equal pay a legal requirement.
The story did not end there. It took another strike in 1984 before women at Dagenham finally achieved full wage parity. The struggle had stretched across decades, underlining just how persistent workers must be in order to overcome deeply rooted injustices.
The famous banner
This month’s design was created by Scottish trade union activist and cartoonist Jamie-Max Caldwell. It is inspired by one of the most famous images of the strike. The women held a banner reading “We want sex equality,” but since it was only half unrolled, the visible words were “We want sex.” A British newspaper published the photo in this incomplete form, deliberately mocking the women and belittling their demands.
The machinists were not discouraged. They knew their cause was just and they stayed united. Their determination achieved not only improvements for themselves but also for women throughout the country.
A legacy that continues
The Dagenham strike remains a milestone in labor history. It shows that even a relatively small group of workers can change the course of history if they stand together. It also shows that fighting against inequality leaves a legacy that inspires future generations.
This T-Shirt is more than clothing. It is a tribute to the women of Dagenham who refused to accept unfair treatment. It is also a reminder that equal pay is still not guaranteed in many places around the world and that the struggle for justice in the workplace continues today.
Order the June 2024 T-Shirt of the Month from our shop now and carry the story of these courageous women into the present.
T-Shirts Unisex Ford Dagenham Women's Strike