A coal worker gets mixed up in the mob''s efforts to infiltrate his union.

Joe Radek, a simple, well-liked, Eastern European immigrant, is in love with Anna Novak. He dreams of quitting his job as a miner, buying a farm, and marrying Anna. Anna likes Joe, but longs for a different life, and runs away with Slim Johnson. Joe falls apart, gets drunk, and during a union meeting joins a dissenter named Steve Croner in a rebellion against the coal company. Joe's good friend Mike Shemanski, the local union leader, unsuccessfully begs Joe to trust the union. Joe is fired and the company brings in a private police force, headed by a thug named McGee. The union is forced to strike, scabs are sent in to work the mine, and Croner, who turns out to be a company agent, leaves town. One night, McGee and his police pick a fight with Mike; Joe comes to his rescue, but it is too late. McGee kills Mike and Joe is seriously wounded. In the hospital, Anna visits Joe and asks his forgiveness. At first he refuses her offer for support, but after a change of heart, he leaves the hospital and, with Anna's help, enters the mine, threatening to dynamite the shaft if the company doesn't negotiate with the union. McGee goes in after Joe, but after a brutal fight, McGee becomes Joe's hostage. Finally, after days of holding his position, the company agrees to Joe's terms. A federal investigation proves that the coal company instigated the strike, and Joe and Anna are redeemed in the eyes of the townspeople.