Made in Dagenham Page #7

Yes, I gather

that's called solidarity.

They're not being solid. The

men want to return to work.

So they're telling unions to withdraw

support, put pressure on the women.

They'll be back within the week.

We'll see.

You're assuming the girls will

do as they're told.

It's not my fault.

Connie.

You said it was important.

Thanks.

Listen, I'm sorry I'm late.

We've got to talk

before this meeting.

They're ready for you now.

This way, ladies.

They've hung you out to dry. Lads

in the other unions have had enough.

So whatever they say to you now,

don't believe it.

We'll sort it out later, all right?

We're absolutely behind you still,

Rita. You and the girls.

We're not saying otherwise.

We've got other representatives from

other unions to pledge their support.

You haven't got them all though,

have you? The important ones.

No, but we're very confident

we'll prevail.

The thing is though, we've got

the national conference coming up.

The most sensible thing, probably,

would be just go to a vote.

Which would be the actual final and

binding position, I believe, comrade.

After which, it'd be out of our hands.

That's right, Monty.

As I say,

we're expecting full support.

We gotta get down to

Eastbourne and talk to them first.

"Actual final and binding

position, comrade." Cheeky sod.

That Monty is a sly one

though, isn't he?

I can't wait to see his face

when we turn up down there.

See you tomorrow.

We can deal with him, Con.

We can deal with anyone.

That's right, comrade.

No! No, George!

No!

Connie! Connie!

Connie.

George!

Connie! Connie, let me in!

It's okay. Dear God.

May the blessing of God Almighty,

the Father, the Son

and the Holy Spirit

be with you always. Amen.

Amen.

I'm so sorry, Connie.

No, you're not.

What?

You thought he was a millstone.

You thought he was keeping me back.

Hey, Con, that's enough.

I should've been there.

I'm all right.

It's all right.

I know.

Hello.

Hello.

This is a surprise.

Yes, I'm sorry. I'm sorry it's so late.

I nearly didn't come at all.

It's all right.

I...

Sorry, yeah.

Do you want a cup of tea?

To be honest, I'm not feeling

chatty today. I'm sorry.

No, it's fine, really. I really don't

want to keep you. It's just, um...

Mr. Clarke's been asked

to leave the school.

We won.

They're getting rid of him.

Right. Of course, yeah.

Oh, that's great.

I just...

That's brilliant.

Well, I wanted to tell you.

Well, cheers. Thanks.

Anyway, I'm sorry to bother you.

Not at all, thanks.

I'm married to

Peter Hopkins.

Sorry, what?

At the factory.

I had a feeling that you didn't

know. And I didn't know who you were.

With the strike.

Sorry, I don't understand.

I'm sorry, if you've come here

to tell me to back off,

I wasn't joking.

I've had a hell of a day and...

Oh, no. Oh, no.

Keep going. Please, keep going.

Do you know who I am?

Who I actually am?

No.

I'm Lisa Burnett, I'm 31 years old.

I have

a first-class honors degree

from one of the finest universities

in the world.

And my husband treats me

like I'm a fool.

And when I was studying

for my degree,

I was very, very happy.

And mostly because of the work.

Because I loved reading

about all these extraordinary people

making history.

And...

And I just wondered what it felt like.

So let me know, will you,

when you finish doing it?

I don't know.

Don't give up.

Don't let me down.

Rita, wait! Where are you going?

Eastbourne. I left you a note.

- I thought you changed your mind.

- I gotta go.

Rita? Look, Rita, just stop.

What, Eddie?

Just listen to me. Just...

We've gotta sort this out.

Eddie...

No, no, no, we have, right? Just...

Look, I know it ain't been

good between us lately,

which I ain't about

to make worse.

Eddie...

Just listen to me.

Look, if I ain't appreciated

what you've done recently...

Gotta catch a bus.

I really am sorry,

but you ain't been

perfect either.

This really ain't the time, Eddie.

Yes, it is, because it needs saying.

I know you reckon I ain't bothered

about the important things.

And I drift along and I'm more

interested in fiddling with motorbikes

or making tents out of seat covers,

but, you know, I try my best.

You know? I have a go.

I like a drink, but I ain't out

on the beer every night

or screwing other women or...

And I've never once

raised me hand.

Ever. Or the kids.

Christ.

What?

Why you looking like that?

Right. You're a saint now, is that

what you're telling me, Eddie?

You're a bleeding saint?

Because you give us an even break?

What are you saying?

That is as it should be. Jesus, Eddie.

What do you think

this strike's all been about?

Actually you're right.

You don't go on the drink.

Don't gamble, you join in with the

kids, you don't knock us about. Lucky me.

For Christ's sake, Eddie,

that's as it should be!

You try and understand that.

Rights, it's not privileges.

It's that easy. It really bloody is.

Didn't think you were coming.

Hey.

Very good, gentlemen.

Can I call on Monty Taylor,

Senior Convener, Ford Dagenham?

Thank you, I shall try to be brief.

If you would.

The great achievements

of civilization

depended on slow progress.

Step by step.

Hence, I am here because I feel

that my union, in backing

these lovely, brave ladies,

these Boadiceas in hairnets,

on their way to a fight for equal pay,

no matter what.

But we have to think about

the trade union struggle as a whole.

Therefore, gentlemen, I ask you

to consider these ladies' demands

too much, too soon.

Monty Taylor, you two-faced,

hypocritical toe-rag!

You f***ing piece of...

Hang on.

No, you hang on!

Sorry, gentlemen.

Hey, we'll sort this out

between ourselves later, eh?

Monty, I've seen more of their mugs

on the front pages the past few weeks

than you've managed

in 20 years.

I wouldn't mind hearing from them.

Go on. Go on.

My best friend

lost her husband recently.

He was...

He was a gunner in

the 50 Squadron in the RAF.

Got shot down one time

on a raid to Essen.

And even though he was badly

injured, he managed to bail out.

I asked him why he joined the RAF

and he said:

"Well, they got the best women,

haven't they?"

Which they did.

And then he said, "Well, you gotta

do something, haven't you?"

You had to do something.

That was a given.

Because it was a matter of principle.

You had to stand up,

you had to do what was right.

Otherwise you wouldn't be able

to look at yourself in the mirror.

When did that change, eh?

When did we, in this country,

decide to stop fighting?

I don't think we ever did.

But you've gotta back us up.

You've gotta stand up with us.

We are the working classes.

The men and the women.

We're not separated by sex.

But only by those who are

willing to accept injustice

and those,

like our friend George,

who are prepared to go into battle

for what is right.

And equal pay for women is right.

Thank you.

I never knew

you could talk like that.

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