'TRAILBLAZING' heroines who took on a multi-national company to save their jobs at a Greenock factory more than 40 years ago were back in the spotlight at a special event in the town.
Historian Dr Andy Clark hosted 'a conversation' at Greenock Central Library with three former Lee Jeans workers who took part in a famous sit-in in 1981.
He chose the demonstration for the basis of his PHD at Strathclyde University, and it also features in his book Fighting Deindustrialisation: Scottish Women’s Factory Occupations, 1981-1982.
Dr Clark told the Telegraph: "The Lee Jeans workers really blazed a trail for women in Scotland.
"This event is me in conversation with the workers in front of members of the public.
"Most importantly we talked about why it happened and how successful it was."
The women's occupation lasted an incredible seven months in protest against the US-based owners, VF Corporation's, plans to close the factory with the loss of hundreds of jobs - despite having healthy order books.
After sticking to their guns the largely female workforce won their fight and some 140 jobs were saved.
Lee Jeans workers Helen Monaghan, Margaret Wallace and Patricia Arkley took part in the special event.
Helen said: "I did what I had to do. We thought it would have been over in a couple of days."
Maggie said: "It was something we had to do because we knew it was right and we had to keep our jobs.
"We never dreamed that all these years later there would have been a book written about it."
The sit-in took place against a backdrop of great political and industrial unrest, especially in Scotland where the Conservative Government led by Margaret Thatcher was hugely unpopular.
Dr Clark said: "It is less common for women to be at the forefront of an industrial dispute but they have always played their part in the Miners' Strike and there were also women-led occupations at the Plessey Capacitors Factory in Bathgate and the Lovable Bra Occupation in Cumbernauld in 1982."
He added that there had been a history of women taking the lead in fighting for their rights before the First World War in mill disputes in Renfrewshire and the Glasgow Rent Strikes of 1915.
Dr Clark, who Greenock born and bred, attended Notre High School and Strathclyde University for his undergraduate degree, PHD and he also has an MA in History from Central Michigan University.
The Lee Jeans story is a period of local history that is close to his heart.
He said: "They really had no choice but to occupy the factory otherwise the building would have been closed up. They had to barricade themselves in until the employers were willing to negotiate.
"I think the women were good role models and the dispute is something that I think should be included in the school curriculum.
"These women are an inspiration to the younger generation and also send out a message to other workers: 'You can fight and can win'.
Dr Clark now has plans to create a memorial to the Lee Jeans sit-in and says this is the ideal time.
He said: "I think there should be one, especially with the redevelopment of the the town centre about to happen.
"It's long overdue, a statue or mural to remember 1981."
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