Salt of the Earth

Esperanza Quintero becomes pregnant with her third child, facing a difficult life due to her strained marriage with Ramon. The community is also involved in a union strike demanding better wages and working conditions for zinc miners. Frustration grows over dropped demands for better sanitation in union negotiations.

Ramon forgets it is Esperanza's Saint's Day, but their son Luis reminds him. Ramon then throws a party to celebrate, helping Esperanza forget her troubles for a while. This moment brings some joy amid the hardships she faces.

A worker is injured at the mine, prompting both Anglo and Chicano workers to go on strike. The picketers gather daily, preventing 'scabs' from crossing their lines, displaying their determination to fight for better conditions.

Company representative Hardwell plans a strategy to handle the strike while local authorities, including sheriff and foreman Anderson, identify Ramon as the strike leader. Ramon is beaten by deputies Vand and Kimbrough and is arrested during the intense labor struggle.

While Ramon is in jail, Esperanza gives birth to her son, Juan. Despite the physical distance, they call out each other's names, symbolizing their connection. Ramon’s release from jail coincides with their baby's christening.

A Taft-Hartley injunction is served, prohibiting the union from picketing. Facing defeat, women from the labor union rally and vote to take over the picket line, defying social expectations. Esperanza joins the picket line despite her husband's disapproval.

The women suffer physical and mental abuse on the picket line, maintaining their protest under harsh conditions. Their resilience strengthens their resolve to fight for union demands despite these hardships.

Esperanza and several women are arrested by the sheriff for their participation in the strike. She takes her children to jail to prevent Ramon from shouldering the burden. The women scream for baby formula, upsetting the guards, and Ramon eventually rescues her and the children.

After her imprisonment, Esperanza feels empowered by her experience and refuses to return to her previous submissive role. She confronts Ramon, emphasizing the importance of unity and equality in their fight for a better life.

While most men are away, Ramon and others are supposed to watch the women, but they leave out of anger. The sheriff begins evicting the Quintero family, removing their furniture. A large community crowd quickly arrives to support and restore their belongings.

The local community, including men, women, children, and workers, rally around the Quintero family, overwhelming the sheriff and his deputies. Their collective support forces the authorities to back down, showing the power of solidarity.

With the community’s efforts, the strike is successful, and the miners win better conditions. Ramon and his community celebrate their victory, feeling hopeful for their children's future and referring to their efforts as 'the salt of the Earth'.