The Grievance

This short documentary is an introductory portrait of labour relations in mid-20th century Canada. Produced in cooperation with the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada, the film traces the process of filing a worker’s grievance in the mechanical and industrial fields. In one instance, an auto-worker files a grievance for being demoted after refusing to work inside a truck cab that he considered too hot. Through several stages of negotiation between union and management, the rights of a worker with a genuine grievance are shown to be protected under the union.