Finally, Some Justice for California Car Wash Workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/11/20/finally-some-justice-for-california-car-wash-workers/

by James Parks, Nov 20, 2008

Carwasheros, as the car wash workers in Southern California are known, scored a big victory yesterday when California Labor Commissioner Angela Bradstreet announced that 60 employees of the Hollywood Riviera Car Wash in Redondo Beach will receive $450,000 in unpaid wages. The payout comes in settlement of a lawsuit against the car wash filed by the state on the workers’ behalf.



Meanwhile, the campaign for justice for carwasheros is working to address the violations exposed by the labor commissioner in other area car washes.

A state investigation revealed that Hollywood Riviera had been paying the mostly immigrant workers minimum wage for as little as three to four hours of work but required them to finish out the day being paid in tips only.

Says Dave Campbell, secretary treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 675 and spokesperson for the Car Wash Workers Organizing Committee (CWWOC), a USW affiliate:

Car wash workers are among the most exploited workers in California, and Commissioner Bradstreet’s efforts are a significant step toward bringing them justice and dignity on the job.

The state filed the lawsuit under the Car Wash Worker law, passed in 2003, which requires all car wash operators to register with the state as a means to promote good labor practices.

FULL story at link.