Thank you to everyone who came along last Friday after work to Unison’s free film screening of Made In Dagenham. The film told the inspiring story of the Ford women car workers’ strike of 1968 to obtain equal pay and the huge contribution they made to the passing of the Equal Pay Act of 1970. 50 years on from the strike, we’re still struggling to achieve pay equality in the country and at the University of Birmingham. The film was well-received by members of staff, who spoke after the screening of how the film showed what we can achieve when we work together.

In the video (above), Ioana Cerasella Chis, Chair of Unison Birmingham University Branch, and James Brackley, President of the University of Birmingham Branch of UCU, reflect on the successful event, the continuing struggle to achieve equal pay at the University of Birmingham and how the University unions must work together to improve pay conditions for all.

Fair Pay, Equal Pay: Higher Education Ballot update

After 82% of UCU members voted to reject a below inflation 2% pay settlement, members will now be formally balloted on further action between 27th August and mid-October. Please look out for your ballot papers and VOTE YES for industrial action to give Birmingham UCU a strong mandate to address the issues of fairness and equality in pay at the University of Birmingham.

Learn more about the Dagenham women’s strike

You can learn more about the Dagenham Women’s Strike and and their 16 year campaign for equal pay by visiting the TUC 150 website:

On the site you’ll find many other examples of how trade unionists have in the past, and are continuing to make today, make the the world a better place for the many.