American Seafoods must pay workers $1.68 million

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Workers who filed a class- action lawsuit against Seattle-based American Seafoods will receive $1.86 million in additional pay, according to a ruling this week by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Zilly.

The money will be divided among more than 650 workers who crewed aboard American Seafood factory trawlers during the Alaska pollock harvest in winter 2000, giving them an average $2,500 per worker. The workers were paid under contracts that tied their pay to the value and size of the catch. The judge ruled that workers did not receive their full shares. The judge also will require American Seafoods to pay plaintiffs' court costs.

The lawsuit alleged other contract violations — including an undervaluing of the catch and a failure to put all the contract terms in writing — which Zilly rejected. Based on those violations, the workers had hoped to receive more than $20 million.