UNITED KINGDOM: The cast of "Made in Dagenham" say the fight for equal pay far from over at the film's world premiere in London
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220454
UNITED KINGDOM: The cast of "Made in Dagenham" say the fight for equal pay far from over at the film's world premiere in London
- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: The cast of "Made in Dagenham" say the fight for equal pay far from over at the film's world premiere in London
- Date: 21st September 2010
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 20, 2101) (REUTERS) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY** ) UNION JACK AND LEICESTER SQUARE SIGN PAN FROM ODEON THEATRE TO RED CARPET "MADE IN DAGENHAM" BILLBOARD
- Embargoed: 6th October 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVA7HYYIIQ5HD9HN4W2UBOFIQWO1
- Story Text: The stars of "Made in Dagenham" walked the red carpet for the film's world premiere in London on Monday (September 20).
The British comedy is based on the true story of 187 female workers at Ford Motor Company's Dagenham plant who went on strike after being reclassified as unskilled workers in 1968 - a struggle which evolved into the fight for equal pay for women.
The industrial action not only got them (almost) equal pay to men, but led to the change being enshrined in law with the Equal Pay Act, an Act of the parliament which came to force in 1975.
Despite the victory the cast of the film said that the issue of equal pay is still alive and well today.
Sally Hawkins, who plays the leader of Dagenham workers (based on not one, but several women), said that while society has come a long way, true equality in the workplace is still a long way off.
"I think it will always be a fight that needs to be fought, sadly. But I think we've come such a long way, when you look back at very recent history, history you can almost touch and people in our own lifetime remember, when you think back to what they had to put up with, what these women had to put up with, you think, well, where would we be without them really," she told Reuters.
Co-star Rosamund Pike, who plays the intelligent, frustrated trophy wife of one of the Ford plant managers, agreed.
"For whatever reason we are still paid less and it is a fight worth fighting for," she said.
Actor Bob Hoskins said he was proud to be a part of a story he felt needed telling long ago.
"Back in '68 I remember reading the newspaper on page five and a little article it was about these women going on strike for equal pay in Dagenham and I thought, hang on a minute this should be front page news but it never was. You know, it was just outrageous," he recalled.
The premiere also saw some special guests in the audience: some of the women that the film is based on.
Director Nigel Cole, who also helmed "Calendar Girls", said - luckily - the final cut had already met with their approval.
"We were very scared. It's a big moment but I'm pleased to say they loved it. They felt that we'd captured their sense of humour. We also managed to tell their story in a way they recognised and I'm really thrilled that that's what they think."
It wasn't only film fans greeting the cast and crew at the premiere. Former Ford workers with their own protest against the auto giant also lined the red carpet, angry at pension entitlements they claim have not been honoured.
"Ford have made a lot of progress with equal pay, no doubt about that. Unfortunately they're not equally treating the pensioners that they promised their full reward," said one pensioner, Paul, who had worked at Ford for 38 years.
"I think, because it's pensioners, we don't go on strike, doesn't seem to effect anything but we have made a lot of noise. What we do have is time and we do have the opportunity and the contacts to make a lot of difference," he added.
Nigel Cole said he had no problem with the pensioners using the premiere to draw attention to their grievance.
"I think we all have to stand up for what we believe is right and, you know, we're all allowed to do so and that's a great thing and I think if they have a beef they should let everybody know," he said on the red carpet.
Made in Dagenham opens in UK cinemas on October 1. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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