Dr. Janet Furie comes to believe that her husband and fellow scientist were set up to die in a lab accident. She blames another scientist, not only for the murder but also for taking credit for her husband's groundbreaking work. When she can't prove her husband was murdered, she spins a web of intrigue and deceit that results in the suspected scientist being framed for another murder that never actually happened.
En 1937, à Cleveland, Johnny Kovak et Abe Belkin, deux manutentionnaires, sont injustement licenciés et deviennent membres de la Fédération des Camionneurs. Johnny prend progressivement conscience de l'influence qu'il exerce sur les syndiqués. Mais, au cours d'une grève longue et difficile, afin de faire face aux milices patronales, il n'a d'autre choix que d'accepter l'aide du racketteur Vince Doyle et de ses complices...