Worker Suspended Over AIDS Fears Is Reinstated

A Hollywood man, suspended from work after he admitted on television that he had contracted the AIDS virus, announced Tuesday that he has won reinstatement to his job.

“I feel very happy today because I’m now able to return to work,” Everardo Mariscal read from a statement during a news conference at the office of his attorney, Gloria Allred. “I hope that this settlement will help educate everyone, so that they will understand that the virus . . . can’t be transmitted through normal daily contact.”

Mariscal, 26, who shows no symptoms of AIDS, was placed on administrative leave on June 26 by officials at Simpson Race Products, a Torrance firm that manufactures accessories for race car drivers.

The layoff came a day after Mariscal appeared on an evening newscast of Spanish-language television station KVEA, Channel 52, to urge opposition to U. S. immigration policy that bars the entry of foreigners infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. During the show, Mariscal said that he had tested positive for the virus earlier this year.

The next morning, Mariscal said, Simpson management sent him home, telling him that other workers were “terrified” to have him there.

Mariscal said company officials told him he would be paid until a final disposition of the matter.

Allred said Mariscal came to her for help and she filed a charge of unfair discrimination with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing on July 2. She said a settlement was reached Monday afternoon under which Simpson agreed to meet all five of her demands:

* That Simpson adopt a company policy prohibiting discrimination against people with AIDS.

* That Simpson set up procedures to remedy any such discrimination by the company.

* That Simpson hold an educational workshop on AIDS.

* That Mariscal be reinstated to his $296-a-week job with full compensation for any pay that he may have missed.

* That Mariscal not be harassed or retaliated against.

Allred said that, pursuant to the settlement, the American Red Cross conducted an AIDS workshop at the plant on Tuesday. She said Mariscal will return to work today.

The company said no one would be immediately available to comment on the settlement.