Which act was influenced by the actions of women machinists seeking equal pay?

The correct answer is the Equal Pay Act 1970, as it was specifically influenced by the efforts of women machinists who were advocating for equal pay for equal work. In the 1960s, there were significant movements among women workers, notably those in manufacturing and textile industries, who highlighted the wage disparity compared to their male counterparts.

The strikes organized by female machinists, particularly the famous Ford Dagenham strike in 1968, brought national attention to the issue of pay inequality, demonstrating that women were not being compensated fairly for their labor. This activism directly contributed to the formation of the Equal Pay Act, which sought to eliminate wage discrimination based on gender.

Other options like the Equal Rights Act and the Discrimination Act address broader issues of rights and inequalities, while the Employment Act focuses on employment-related matters without a specific emphasis on pay equality. The Equal Pay Act was a direct legislative response to the issues highlighted by women in the workforce, making it the most relevant choice in this context.