Was Mr. Morrison fired from the railroad because he was calling in sick too many days in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?

Mr. L. T. Morrison has not been dismissed from his job with the railroad for missing work; he is fired for being in a fight.

In Chapter 2 of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mr. Logan brings home with him a huge man,

a human tree in height. . . [having a] massive body with muscles. . . and his skin, of the deepest ebony. . . partially scarred on his face and neck,...

Mr. L. T. Morrison has not been dismissed from his job with the railroad for missing work; he is fired for being in a fight.

In Chapter 2 of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mr. Logan brings home with him a huge man,

a human tree in height. . . [having a] massive body with muscles. . . and his skin, of the deepest ebony. . . partially scarred on his face and neck, as if by fire (Chapter 2).

Significantly, his voice is "like the roll of low thunder" as he explains to Mrs. Logan that he was fired because he was in a fight with some men and hurt them rather badly. When the children's mother asks him who was at fault in this fight, Mr. Morrison says the other men were the cause. They are white men, and they were not fired. This information explains much to Mrs. Logan, who nods as she replies,

"Thank you for telling me, Mr. Morrison. You're lucky no worse happened and we're glad to have you here. . . especially now" (Chapter 2).

Fortunately for Mrs. Logan and the children, Mr. Morrison remains with them in order to protect the family while Mr. Logan returns to work on the railroad since his family needs his salary. Later in the narrative, Mr. Morrison proves to be invaluable to the Logans.