Federal Agency Charges Carwash Company with Labor Law Violations
Labor Desk
December 01, 2008
Los Angeles – Carwash workers in Los Angeles won an important first step in their legal struggle with a Hollywood carwash owner. After an extensive investigation of charges filed by the carwash workers union, the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board has filed a formal complaint alleging that Vermont Hand Wash engaged in unfair labor practices by firing and harassing union supporters. Vermont Hand Wash, located at 1666 North Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, is operated by brothers Benny and Nisan Pirian. Carwashes owned by members of the Pirian family have been cited in the past for violating both employment and environmental laws.
Since last March, when workers first spoke out publicly about the appalling working conditions in LA carwashes and announced their intent to form a union, three workers have been fired and many others have been suffered harassment at the hands of carwash owners and management.
The Labor Board's complaint against Vermont Hand Wash includes illegal coercion and harassment, including threats of physical violence, against workers trying to organize a union. The complaint also includes the case of a worker who was fired after appearing in a Los Angeles Times article about unlawful working conditions at the carwash. Vermont Hand Wash management was also charged with retaliating against union supporters by cutting their hours and assigning them to less desirable work.
The complaint describes how a manager threatened the union supporter with physical violence when he showed the worker weapons. According to the worker, Israel Jimenez, the manager knew that he was a union supporter and showed him a machete and .38 caliber bullets after the worker complained about having his hours cut. Jimenez was fired from the carwash last month, and the union has filed additional charges with the Labor Board alleging that his firing was retaliatory.
The action by the National Labor Relations Board incorporated the charges filed by the Carwash Worker Organizing Committee of the United Steelworkers (CWOC), beginning on May 7, 2008. A trial before an Administrative Law Judge will commence February 19. If the carwash is found to have violated the law it will be subject to remedies such as payment of lost earnings, with interest, and reinstatement of the fired workers.
In May the union and a coalition of its supporters, the Community-Labor-Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), announced an official boycott of carwashes owned by Benny Pirian or members of his family in the city of Los Angeles: Hollywood Car Wash, Vermont Hand Wash, and Celebrity Car Wash. The boycott also includes several carwashes outside the city, specifically, Five Star Car Wash in Northridge, Lawndale Car Wash in Lawndale, and Magic Wand Car Wash in Huntington Park.
Since last March, when workers first spoke out publicly about the appalling working conditions in LA carwashes and announced their intent to form a union, three workers have been fired and many others have been suffered harassment at the hands of carwash owners and management.
The Labor Board's complaint against Vermont Hand Wash includes illegal coercion and harassment, including threats of physical violence, against workers trying to organize a union. The complaint also includes the case of a worker who was fired after appearing in a Los Angeles Times article about unlawful working conditions at the carwash. Vermont Hand Wash management was also charged with retaliating against union supporters by cutting their hours and assigning them to less desirable work.
The complaint describes how a manager threatened the union supporter with physical violence when he showed the worker weapons. According to the worker, Israel Jimenez, the manager knew that he was a union supporter and showed him a machete and .38 caliber bullets after the worker complained about having his hours cut. Jimenez was fired from the carwash last month, and the union has filed additional charges with the Labor Board alleging that his firing was retaliatory.
The action by the National Labor Relations Board incorporated the charges filed by the Carwash Worker Organizing Committee of the United Steelworkers (CWOC), beginning on May 7, 2008. A trial before an Administrative Law Judge will commence February 19. If the carwash is found to have violated the law it will be subject to remedies such as payment of lost earnings, with interest, and reinstatement of the fired workers.
In May the union and a coalition of its supporters, the Community-Labor-Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), announced an official boycott of carwashes owned by Benny Pirian or members of his family in the city of Los Angeles: Hollywood Car Wash, Vermont Hand Wash, and Celebrity Car Wash. The boycott also includes several carwashes outside the city, specifically, Five Star Car Wash in Northridge, Lawndale Car Wash in Lawndale, and Magic Wand Car Wash in Huntington Park.
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