Wet Seal Trial Postponed

The Wet Seal Inc. got a short reprieve in its legal dispute regarding back wages owed to four garment workers.

On Oct. 20, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge rescheduled the retailer’s legal proceedings, which are now slated to begin on Nov. 17.

The company, based in Foothill Ranch, Calif., is being sued for a portion of back wages owed workers at Los Angeles sewing contractor D.T. Sewing, which was hired by Rad Clothing to make apparel for Wet Seal.

The lawsuit hinges on the watershed Assembly Bill 633, a 1999 statute that holds apparel retailers liable for the employment practices of their manufacturing subcontractors.

Last December, the state labor commission ruled in favor of the four workers, awarding them damages and back pay of $240,000. Wet Seal was ordered to pay $90,000 but appealed the ruling, forcing the non-jury trial.

D.T. Sewing and Rad Clothing both went out of business without paying any wages or fines. —Christian M. Chensvold