LABOR

Charge Filed to Reinstate Fired Activist: Ricardo Zelada, a community activist promoting the Proposition 210 initiative to raise California’s minimum wage, filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board claiming that he and his stepbrother were fired illegally from their garment factory jobs because of Zelada’s advocacy work. Zelada lost his job as a sewing machine operator at Lito Children’s Wear in East Los Angeles on Oct. 1, one day after he testified in support of Proposition 210 before a state Senate committee. A Lito spokesman denied the charge, saying that Zelada and his stepbrother were fired because of their poor work records and the company’s need to cut costs. Meanwhile, representatives for Lito and the U.S. Department of Labor disclosed that the company was accused by federal authorities last week of minimum wage and overtime pay violations involving at least 19 workers, and that the company paid $6,887 in back wages to settle the case.