| Description | Plate, ceramic, white with golden rim, centre of plate has a group of demonstrators holding banners 'Equal pay for woman', 'End sex discrimination', 'We are fighting for women's rights', 'Equal pay for work of equal value', 'We demand skill recognition and upgrading', yellow banner above demonstrators inscription printed in black: 'Ford River Plant Shop Stewards Committee Dagenham'; inscription at rim in black: 'May-Jun 1968 Ford Sewing Machinists win equal pay and secure passage of the 1970 Equal Pay Act'; 'Nov-Dec 1984 Ford Sewing Machinists win upgrading and skill recognition'; inscription printed in blue '1968 Scroll of honour: Lil O'Callaghan, Rosie Boland, Henry Friedman, Bernie Passingham, Kathy McGovern, Jock McCrae, Les Moore, Billy McGuire, Fred Blake, Jack Mitchell, Reg Birch, Charlie Gallagher', '1984 Scroll of honour Kathy Mc Govern, Rita Sharpe, Bernie Passingham, Doreen Cook, Mick Murphy, Ron Todd, Henry Friedman, Derek Horne, Bob Henderson, Lil Thompson, Frances Kerwin'; four emblems for unions Transport and General Workers Union (two branches), National Union of Vehicle Builders, Educate, Organise, Control; inscription on reverse printed in black: 'Ford Sewing Machinists at Dagenham and Halewood fought and won two historic battles against sex discrimination and for women's rights. In Jun 1968 after a three week strike rank and file Sewing Machinists negotiated face to face with Employment Minister Barbara Castle and secured a settlement which brought about equal pay at Ford's and the passage of the 1970 Equal Pay Act. In 1984/85 after a six week strike, Ford sewing machinists won a 17 year long struggle for skill recognition based on the principle of 'equal pay for work of equal value'. They were upgraded and awarded skilled worker status. This plate is one of a numbered limited edition. This being no [no number]. Ceramic Arts. Fine China. Made in England.' |