Car washers allegedly treated like 'servants'

[rpannier]

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles prosecutors have accused car-wash owners of dirty employee practices.

The city attorney's office filed 176 charges Monday against Benny and Nissan Pirian, their manager Manuel Reyes and their businesses.

snip

They allegedly worked without overtime pay, rest or lunch breaks, drank water from a washing machine, received no proper medical treatment for cuts and burns, and were harassed if they tried to unionize.

The Pirians face nearly 86 years each in jail if convicted.

Reyes, who is accused of using a machete and a baton to threaten workers and unionizers, faces 2 1/2 years in jail if convicted.

link:
http://www.mashget.com/2009/02/11/car-washers-allegedly-treated-like-servants/

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. No surprise there.

I worked at a car wash when I was 15 1/2 for eight hours one frigid winter Saturday. That was it - I never showed up again.

I would rather poke my eyes out with a cocktail fork than work for those slaveowners again.

One example - you got 20 minutes for lunch, but that included getting out of your heavy work gear, eating on the run, and getting suited back up again and on the line. We did 750+ cars that day, and I never wanted to wash a car again.

[zonmoy]

2. You mean the slaves were actually treated as such

what a shocker.