LA Carwash Manager Threatens Worker With Violence 7.17.08

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2008

 

Contacts: Paul Lee, AFL-CIO, 818-519-1361

 

Los Angeles – Carwash workers in L.A. have charged their employer with illegal coercion and harassment, including threats of physical violence, for trying to organize a union and for speaking to press about the appalling working conditions in an L.A. carwash.

The Carwash Worker Organizing Committee of the United Steelworkers union has filed two new unfair labor practice charges against Vermont Hand Wash with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). According to the charges—filed on July 7 and July 15—management of Vermont Hand Wash, located at 1666 North Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, has coerced, threatened, and retaliated against employees trying to organize a union.

 

The charge filed on July 15 describes how a manager threatened one union supporter with physical violence when he showed the worker .38 caliber bullets on one occasion in April and a machete and combat knife on another occasion in June. According to the worker, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, the manager knew that he was a union supporter and showed him the machete after the worker complained about having his hours cut. “When the manager showed me his machete, he said that he kept it, and other weapons, in his car for whatever might come up at the carwash. He has told me when he pulls out his gun, he uses it to kill. This made me very afraid for myself and my co-workers who are trying to improve the bad conditions at this carwash.”

 

Dave Campbell, Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 675 commented, “These charges against Vermont Hand Wash are shocking. No worker should have to endure threats of physical violence for standing up for his rights on the job.”

According to Campbell, carwash workers face an uphill battle to organize their union, but with community support for the boycott of Vermont Hand Wash and two other LA carwashes owned by Benny Pirian or his family members, Celebrity Car Wash and Hollywood Car Wash, carwashers may be able to force the employer to put an end to the intimidation and threats of violence. 

 

“Carwash workers risk their health every day in sweatshop conditions. And some risk their very lives when they speak out about these deplorable working conditions. We will not rest until the workers can exercise their rights without fear of reprisals,” said Campbell.

 

Workers and members of the Community-Labor-Environmental-Action Network (CLEAN) contend that many Los Angeles area carwash owners pay workers less than minimum wage, sometimes forcing workers to work for tips only. Workers routinely work without protective equipment despite the toxic chemicals to which they are constantly exposed.

 

In all, the union has filed six charges against the carwash owned by Benny Pirian. Since workers first spoke out publicly about their working conditions and their efforts to form a union on March 27, the employer has used a variety of methods to systematically retaliate against union supporters. 

 

One worker, Jose Torres, was fired after his picture appeared in the Los Angeles Times in a story about the working conditions at Vermont Hand Wash. Other workers were assigned the least desirable jobs in the carwash after they spoke publicly. Several workers have seen their hours cut, making it almost impossible to survive on their already low wages. “The day after I spoke to the press, the manager sped up the cars on the conveyor belt while I worked in the wash tunnel, which is really dangerous for me and my co-workers. Then, after my picture appeared in the newspaper, I was fired,” said Torres.

 

According to charges filed with the NLRB on July 7, management forced workers to hold anti-union banners during a demonstration organized by CLEAN to protest working conditions at Vermont Hand Wash on June 19. Carwash worker Pedro Guzman said, “On the day of the demonstration, the manager told me I had to hold the banner saying the workers don’t want a union. I refused, because I won’t let the managers force me to lie. Other workers held the banner because they were afraid they’d be fired or sent home and lose a day’s pay.”

 

Elvia Meza of the Southern California American Civil Liberties Union said, “These workers are facing profound violations of their basic rights to free speech and free association, and the threats strike at the core of activity the Constitution was meant to protect.”