Episode 4
A group of modern women go back in time to 1983 to learn how an unsung army of female workers fought to keep their jobs in the face of foreign competition. Hosted by Alex Jones.
It is 1983 and for our women it is all big shoulder pads and back-combed hair. Annie Lennox and Bonnie Taylor are topping the charts and Britain's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, has been returned to power in a landslide victory for the Conservatives. Women had battled throughout the 70s to win equality in the workplace, and whilst many of those battles had been won, in law at least, they now had another fight on their hands - the fight to hang on to their jobs.
With the change in government in 1979 had come a dramatic change in economic policy - the Tory government wanted businesses to stand on their own two feet without subsidies and the early 80s saw a slump in manufacturing across Britain. Those factories that did manage to stay open were facing a battle against the steady march of globalisation and cheap labour abroad. On the factory floor, in this era of cutbacks, our modern workers face harsh new targets if they are to hang on to their jobs. They are tasked with producing a velour tracksuit, the height of fashion in the early 80s.
After the sky-high inflation and soaring prices of the 70s, by 1983 inflation had been curbed to a 15-year low of 4%, but unemployment had rocketed - with more than 3 million people in Britain out of work. In their typical 80s valleys' home Emma, Jason, Angelea and Tamara Brabon will have to adapt to the new economic reality. But it is not all doom and gloom. With welcome distractions in the form of aerobics, lingerie parties and nights in singing along to Top of the Pops, our feisty factory girls take on the 80s in style. The modern-day workers will chart just how far we have come in 50 years.
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Music Played
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Men Without Hats
The Safety Dance
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New Order
Blue Monday
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The Police
Every Breath You Take
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The Cure
The Love Cats
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Dexys Midnight Runners
Come On Eileen
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Dexys Midnight Runners
Come On Eileen
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David Bowie
China Girl
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Elton John
I'm Still Standing
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Pretenders
Back On The Chain Gang
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Spandau Ballet
True
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Olivia Newton鈥怞ohn
Physical
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Joe Jackson
Breaking Us In Two
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The Human League
Fascination (Keep Feeling)
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The Human League
Fascination (Keep Feeling)
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Men at Work
Down Under
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Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
Shame On The Moon
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Toto
I Won't Hold You Back (Album Version)
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Thompson Twins
Hold Me Now
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Madonna
Material Girl
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Duran Duran
Is There Something I Should Know?
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Fun Boy Three
Our Lips Are Sealed
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Bonnie Tyler
Total Eclipse Of The Heart
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Phil Collins
You Can't Hurry Love
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Men at Work
Overkill (Album Version)
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Heaven 17
Temptation
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Toto
Africa
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Toto
Africa
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Culture Club
Karma Chameleon
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Level 42
The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)
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Yazoo
Only You
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Yazoo
Only You
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Yazoo
Only You
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Nelly
N Dey Say
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Spandau Ballet
True
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Alex Jones |
Series Producer | Catrin Griffith |
Production Company | Wall to Wall Media |
Broadcasts
- Thu 27 Sep 2018 20:00
- Wed 3 Oct 2018 20:00成人快手 One Wales & Wales HD only
- Mon 15 Oct 2018 07:30
- Sun 30 Dec 2018 16:30成人快手 Two Wales & Wales HD only
- Sat 20 Jun 2020 11:00成人快手 Two except Scotland & Wales
- Sun 12 Jul 2020 17:00成人快手 Two Wales HD & Wales only
- Thu 27 Jan 2022 15:15成人快手 Two except Scotland & Wales
- Thu 27 Jan 2022 19:00成人快手 Two Wales & Wales HD only
- Thu 7 Sep 2023 15:30成人快手 Two except Scotland