Ford Dagenham Women's Strike - Fair Wear - Organic - Women’s T-shirt - FREE DELIVERY

Design celebrating the women workers at Ford’s Dagenham plant in England who walked out on strike for equal pay with male workers on 7 June 1968. The women, who sewed car seats, were classified as "unskilled", while men working at the same or similar jobs were classified as "skilled", and so were paid at a higher rate. All 187 women walked out, but even though the thousands of men in the plant remained at work, car production was brought to a complete standstill. Around 200 women at another UK Ford factory walked out in support. Initially, Ford refused to negotiate. One of the workers, Eileen Pullen, later recounted to the Guardian: "Some of the men said: 'Good for you girl', but others said: 'Get back to work, you're only doing it for pin money'… But our wages weren't for pin money, they were to help with the cost of living, to pay your mortgage and help pay all your bills. It wasn't pocket money. No woman would go out to work just for pocket money, would she? Not if she's got a family". After three weeks, the strikers eventually agreed to return to work for 92% of the men’s wages (up from 85%) in a deal brokered by the government. The strike was the key reason for the Equal Pay Act of 1970, although nominal pay equality at Ford was only achieved after a later strike in 1984.

This design was done by Scotland-based labor activist and cartoonist Jamie-Max Caldwell. It is a take on a photograph of the women with their banner declaring "We want sex equality" partially unfurled so that only "We want sex" was visible. The photograph was published by a newspaper deliberately trying to disparage or ridicule the women. This couldn't stop the women Ford machinists of 1968 though as they kept strong, stuck together, and thus helped improve the conditions not just for themselves but for women across the country.

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This women’s organic tee is designed to flatter your body shape. Made from 100% organic cotton, it offers a premium feel. The ribbed neck adds a polished finish.

• 100% organic combed ring-spun cotton
• Fabric weight: 5.3 oz./yd.² (180 g/m²)
• Regular fit
• Set-in sleeves
• 1 × 1 rib at collar
• Double-needle topstitch on the sleeves and bottom hems
• Self-fabric neck tape on the inside of the back
• The fabric of this product holds certifications for its organic cotton content under GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OCS (Organic Content Standard)

The sizes correspond to a bigger size in the European market, customers from that region should order a size down.
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh

This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!

Size guide