In 1972 the first closures under British Steel's ten-year economy plan hit the Ebbw Vale steelworks when the coke ovens closed on 16 March. The scale of job losses provoked anger and the workers marched to convey their feelings. Local MP Michael Foot addressed the angry crowd and later described the event as the 'worst day of his career'.

The film also shows the redundancy settlement negotiations between union leaders and managers.