Poetry Reading Cited in Libel Suit by Guess Inc.

A Santa Monica bookstore poetry reading in support of garment workers is part of a libel suit that Guess Inc. has filed against labor organizations that claim the clothing maker contracts with companies that have sweatshop conditions.

On Monday, a Superior Court judge in Santa Monica limited the scope of the lawsuit to libel and slander and postponed a labor union motion to dismiss the case. The lawsuit alleges that members of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees have distributed fliers libeling Guess, sponsored a slanderous literary event and backed illegal picketing.

The Sept. 8 reading at the Midnight Special bookstore featured writers who read their works and a former Guess worker who spoke about conditions in the shops--comments Guess claims were defamatory and libelous.

UNITE members claim Guess employees work long hours without adequate compensation and have been intimidated from unionizing.

Guess denies the allegations.