The Hand That Feeds (2014)

Behind the scenes of a popular deli on New York's Upper East Side, undocumented immigrant workers face sublegal wages, dangerous machinery, and abusive managers. Mild-mannered sandwich maker Mahoma López has never been interested in politics, but in Jan. 2012, he convinces a small group of his co-workers to fight back. Risking deportation and the loss of livelihood, the workers team up with a diverse crew of innovative young organizers and take the unusual step of forming an independent union, launching themselves on a journey that will test the limits of their resolve. In one rollercoaster year, they must overcome a shocking betrayal and a two month lockout. Lawyers will battle in backroom negotiations, Occupy Wall Street protesters will take over the restaurant, and a picket line will divide the neighborhood. If they can win a contract, it will set a historic precedent for low-wage workers across the country. But whatever happens, Mahoma and his compañeros won't be exploited again.

Released April 5, 2014 88 min None+

Genres: Documentary, Drama, News

Keywords: tmdb.immigration, tmdb.labor, tmdb.woman-director, mdblist.fresh, imdb.union, imdb.undocumented-worker, imdb.new-york-city + 8 more, imdb.undocumented-immigration, imdb.empowerment, imdb.civil-rights, imdb.civil-disobedience, imdb.latino, imdb.immigration, imdb.labor, aspectratio.1-78-1