Alaska Packers’ Assoc. v. Domenico

Facts

The Plaintiffs*, Domenico and other fisherman (Plaintiffs), entered into a contract with the Respondent, Alaska Packers’ Association (Respondent), to travel on a fishing vessel to Alaska and then work during the fishing season of 1900. The contract was entered into in San Francisco, prior to the men’s departure for Alaska. The terms stated that Respondent was to pay each Plaintiff $50 for the fishing season and an additional two cents for each red salmon he helped catch. Certain workers entered into a second contract modifying the payment of $50 for fishing season to $60. Once they arrived in Alaska, the Plaintiffs stopped work and demanded a $100 for operating the vessel to and from Alaska, instead of the $50 or $60 stated in the original contract. They threatened to return to San Francisco if this demand was not met. Because Respondent could not find replacement workers, the superintendent of Alaska Packers entered into new contracts with Plaintiffs, conceding to their demands. However, the superintendent told the Plaintiffs that he had no authority to make such a contract. On their return to San Francisco, Plaintiffs demanded payment in accordance with the terms of the new contract. * As this is an admiralty claim, plaintiffs are referred to as “libellants” and defendant is referred to as “respondent.”