Final Offer

Final Offer

Free
streaming

Available options

DVD

The filmmakers were given remarkable freedom to record the historic 1984 contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers and General Motors Corporation. Bob White, labour leader of the Canadian branch of the UAW, must also confront his American counterpart from Detroit and succeeds in arriving at a contract that is significantly Canadian. His members had already given him a mandate to fight for independence from the American union. This is an invaluable document for anyone interested in the complexities of United States-Canada relations. It's an extraordinary film about revolutionary events.

Pedagogical evaluations and study guides are only available to CAMPUS subscribers.

CAMPUS

Features designed specifically for teachers. Learn more

Already subscribed? Sign in

Embed this code on your site

Final Offer , Sturla Gunnarsson & Robert Collison, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Video player width

by Reset
Credits
  • director
    Sturla Gunnarsson
  • writer
    Robert Collison
  • co-director
    Robert Collison
  • film editor
    Jeff Warren
  • photography
    Len Gilday
  • sound
    Brian Avery
    Ian Hendry
  • original music
    Jack Lenz
  • narration
    Henry Ramer
  • assistant film editor
    Susan Shipton
  • assistant camera
    Joel Guthroe
  • additional cinematography
    Rodney Charters
  • additional location sound
    Wolf Ruck
  • re-recording
    Terry Cooke
  • production assistant
    Renée Glück
  • unit administrator
    Julia Sereny
    Sonya Munro
  • producer
    Sturla Gunnarsson
    Robert Collison
  • senior producer
    John Kramer
  • executive producer
    John Spotton

  • None

    This film is absolutely incredible! It is indeed rare that such access to negotiations, not to mention shop floor activities and arguments, is ever given and this film is a wonderful document of that time and place in labor history. The pacing of the film is so quick, I think even non-historians and non-labor people will find this just a fascinating story. The narration does a wonderful job of putting everything in context while letting the story stand on its own as much as it can. I never feel lost in this film, and I think Bob White and Phil Bennett are absolutely fascinating to watch.

    None, 9 Jan 2022
  • Sloanwolf

    Not only am i passionate about this subject but this documentary was filmed amazingly detailed, personal and realistic. This should be shown in every highschool across the country!

    Sloanwolf, 22 Mar 2012
  • Leischa

    This film was used as teaching material on an industrial relations Masters programme I did. It's absolutely exceptional - probably the best film about trade unions I've ever seen.

    Leischa, 2 Jun 2011

The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more