Salt of the Earth centers on a long, difficult workers' strike against a mining company in New Mexico. Ramon Quintero (Juan Chacon) fights for equity of wages as well as health and safety issues, but at home he mistreats his wife, Esperanza. When the men are forced to end their picketing, Esperanza joins the other women who demand to play a role in the strike, against their husbands' wishes. Written, directed, and produced by members of the original blacklisted "Hollywood Ten," Salt of the Earth is a powerful, persuasive drama that educates and inspires.