ABSTRACT
In this chapter the author focuses on a single migrant group, West Indian women in Britain and considers whether and in what way they occupy a distinct position within the British working class. She examines the industrial and political consciousness and action of West Indian women in one geographical area, Harlesden in north-west London. The majority of women in the author's Harlesden networks were Jamaican-born migrants, and it is important to understand at least a little of the social and economic role of women in that society. As wage labourers it might be expected that West Indian women would look to trade unions as a means of defending and improving the conditions. Extant evidence suggests that black workers are as willing as white workers to take industrial action but the present study found a greater willingness on the part of West Indian women than men to take such action.
