LA Carwash Workers Win Major Victory to End Worker Abuse, Gain Justice on the Job (jail time)

[Omaha Steve]

http://launionaflcio.org/fullstory/2010-08-18/LA-Carwash-Workers-Win-Major-Victory-to-End-Worker-Abuse-Gain-Justice-on-the-Job/

Judge orders year in jail for carwash owners





(Los Angeles, August 17) Carwash workers, and community and union members of the Community-Labor-Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), rallied at Vermont Hand Wash in support of carwash workers who have been fighting for a voice on the job for more than two and a half years. The event celebrated the car wash workers’ victory against corporate abuse: the announcement by the City Attorney that two of Los Angeles’ worst carwash owners –brothers Benny and Nissan Pirian-- have each been sentenced to one year in jail.

“Today carwash owners are on notice that this is a new day in Los Angeles. Abuse of workers will no longer go unchecked,” said Maria Elena Durazo, head of the Los Angeles Federation of Labor.

“The Pirian brothers were held accountable because workers at the Pirian carwashes collectively stood up for their rights and for better conditions on the job. Their efforts to organize for a voice are finally bringing accountability to the carwash industry,” said Henry Huerta, director of the CLEAN Carwash Campaign.

Luz Elena Oseguera, a union supporter who was fired from Vermont Hand Wash, told the crowd, “I want to say to all carwasheros that what happened to the owners of this carwash means there is justice for us workers. We are going to keep fighting until we have a union, because that’s the only way that we are going to have real justice on the job.”

“Carwash workers reported the violations that led to the criminal complaint, and to this conviction. Owners should take notice that workers can—and will—continue to expose illegal workplace conditions in their fight for a voice at work,” added Huerta.

On August 13, the Pirian brothers, who have become the face of abusive and unrepentant owners in the carwash industry, each pled no contest to six criminal charges brought by the LA City Attorney and were each sentenced by a judge to 365 days in county jail. This is in addition to the restitution they will still have to pay workers in the case.

FULL story at link.