Kimble is working for Tony Donovan (actor Dean Jagger) on his fishing boat. Tony is a crusty old salt suffering from heart trouble, but fishing is his life. Tony's son Joe (actor James Callahan) thinks Tony is old fashioned and ought to retire.
When Kimble and Tony get back to port with a full load of fish, they walk into a strike. The union, led by Joe, insists Tony cannot unload until the management raises their buying price on fish. Tony has a big load and is willing to take the offered price rather than see his fish spoil.
The owner of the packing plant calls in the police to get the boat unloaded. This leads to a fight, and many arrests, including Kimble. When his prints are taken, Kimble decides he must leave town, but finds he cannot because of a police blockade. Meanwhile Joe is angry at Kimble, thinking he is encouraging Tony to keep working, and Tony's daughter Nedda (actress Nancy Malone) is also concerned.
Kimble, trapped in the port, faces severe danger from the police, from Joe, and from striking fisherman angry at Tony and Kimble for defying the strike.