Chirla

A seller of women’s apparel and one of its owners brought this action against a nonprofit organization and one of its employees who advocate on behalf of low-income immigrant workers. Plaintiffs allege defendants defamed them by falsely claiming they are responsible for “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in unpaid wages due workers who sewed clothes especially for sale in plaintiffs’ stores. Defendants contend plaintiffs are responsible for these wages under the wage guarantee provisions of Labor Code section 2673.1.

Defendants moved to strike plaintiffs’ complaint as a SLAPP suit (strategic lawsuit against public participation). The trial court denied the motion and this appeal followed.

We reverse the order denying the SLAPP motion and direct the trial court to grant the motion as to both defendants.

FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS BELOW

Fashion 21 sells women’s clothing nationwide under the name Forever 21. It purchases garments bearing the Forever 21 label in finished condition from garment manufacturers, many of whom subcontract with sewing contractors to perform some of the production and assembly work on the garments. The undisputed evidence shows Fashion 21 does not own…