workingclasshistory

On this day, 5 February 1981, the 240 mostly women workers at the Lee Jeans factory in Greenock, Scotland, occupied their workplace upon learning that it was due to be closed and production moved elsewhere. They barricaded the doors with chairs, and two of them climbed onto the roof and down a drainpipe to buy 240 portions of fish and chips and Irn Bru. They kept up the occupation for seven months, when management caved and agreed to a buyout, giving the jobs back to all 140 workers still occupying the plant.
*
If you enjoy our content, make sure to follow us on TikTok at https://tiktok.com/@workingclasshistory https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1914412822077192/?type=3