Alaska Packers Ass'n v. Industrial Accident Commission

This is a proceeding to review an award of compensation made by the Industrial Accident Commission in favor of Juan Palma against the Alaska Packers Association, his employer.

On May 13, 1932, Juan Palma, a nonresident alien, entered into a contract of employment on board the steamer “Chirikof” in the harbor of San Francisco, with the Quong Ham Wah Co., agent for the petitioner, the Alaska Packers Association, by which he agreed to work for the petitioner during the salmon canning season at or about Kvichak in the territory of Alaska. The Alaska Packers Association agreed to transport Palma to Alaska and back to San Francisco at the close of the season. He was to be paid on his return to San Francisco, at a monthly rate, less any advances made. Section 11 of the contract, signed by Palma, and some fifty other workers, on board the “Chirikof,” reads as follows:

“Section 11. As the only labor contemplated by this contract is to be performed in the Territory of Alaska, and as the Contractor has elected to be bound by the provisions of the Alaska Workmen’s Compensation Act, Chapter 25 of the laws of Alaska, 1929, pages 46 to 49 and amendments thereto, the parties of the second part…