Industrial disputes were an accepted part of manufacturing in 20th century New Zealand. Small disputes might involve a work to rule during which employees would do no more than was strictly required. Larger disputes, which sometimes involved the Federation of Labour ( FOL – the private sector unions’ umbrella group) could include lockouts by the employer or strikes. Here, FOL president Jim Knox speaks to clothing workers at Rixen Manufacturing’s Levin factory in 1981. The factory was being closed at short notice and without redundancy being paid. The women occupied the factory when management refused to negotiate with them.