A disabled member of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) says “If the rank and file membership don’t take over their local unions and elect officers got some guts, they might as well throw up their hands and quit.” In 1970, UMWA president W.A. (Tony) Boyle was under indictment for union funds misuse and suspected of murdering outspoken union reform advocate Jock Yablonski and his family in 1969. The film intercuts Boyle’s speech at a Big Stone Gap, Virginia rally with mining scenes and interviews with miners.