For Immediate Release: March 6, 2012

Media Contacts: 
Deborah Axt (Spanish and English).
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Bold Campaign Launched to Clean Up Dirty Practices in Car
Washes, Following New Revelations of Widespread Mistreatment
of Workers

First-of-its-Kind Investigative Report Propels Car Wash
Industry Reform Effort

New York, NY-- An eye-opening investigative report showing
widespread mistreatment of the city's car wash workers was
released today by WASH New York, a new campaign launched by
Make the Road New York, New York Communities for Change, and
the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU),
UFCW, to improve industry standards and achieve greater
protection of workplace rights.

With a broad coalition of car wash workers, elected
officials, labor leaders, and activists, WASH New York--
Workers Aligned for a Sustainable and Healthy New York--
unveiled the report in front of Metro Car Wash in Rego Park,
Queens, a car wash exemplifying some of the worst practices
in the industry. Called The Dirty Business of Cleaning NYC's
Cars, the report is based on months of in-depth interviews
and meetings with 89 car wash workers at 29 car washes around
the city, a representative sampling.

"Washing cars, the boss makes us work long hours, from 7 in
the morning until 7 o'clock at night, for $5.50 an hour plus
tips," said David de la Cruz Pérez, a worker at Sutphin
Boulevard Car Wash. "They yell at us, they disrespect us, and
they treat us as if we were not even human beings. Now we
know what our rights are and we want to be respected. We have
to be united and put a stop to these abuses and recuperate
our dignity."

On wages, hours, and benefits, the key findings are as
follows: more than 71 percent of the workers were on the job
at least 60 hours a week, with some putting in as many as 105
hours; 75 percent didn't receive any overtime pay for
exceeding 40 hours; 66 percent reported being paid less than
the minimum wage; over 40 percent reported getting only 15
minute or less breaks for lunch; and not a single car wash
worker received paid sick days. Only one worker interviewed
was offered any kind of health care.

The report also found that scheduling, hours, and pay are
subject to the whims of management, and especially, the
weather; and that workers were exposed to hazardous
chemicals, unguarded machinery, and electrical outlets close
to wet surfaces--all without access to the most basic
protective equipment.

"The company did not provide us with any protection from the
strong chemicals," said Heriberto Hernandez, a former
employee at Metro Car Wash. "We did not have gloves, masks or
smocks. "Sometimes, I'd cut my hand or arm-it's part of the
job. There were no first-aid kits at the car wash."

Five key recommendations for city and state elected officials
were presented and discussed at the campaign launch: 1)
stronger and more vigilant enforcement of all applicable wage
and hour laws, and all applicable workplace health and safety
regulations, at the state and city level; 2) an easier path
to exercising the right to join a union without fear of
intimidation or retaliation; 3) annual state and city
inspections to ensure compliance with labor laws and all
applicable workplace regulations; 4) state and city
publication of best practices for preventing unlawful
treatment of car wash workers; 5) state and city hearings on
mistreatment of car wash workers and unlawful industry-wide
practices.

"We're here today to say that car wash workers should be able
to exercise the same rights as all other workers, including
the fundamental right to join a union if they so choose,"
said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and
Department Store Union (RWDSU).

City and state elected officials responded favorably and
backed the campaign, especially those representing parts of
Queens and areas in other boroughs with a large number of car
washes.

"I want to send a very clear message to car wash owners: it's
time to end unjust practices like underpaying workers, not
providing adequate health and safety protections, and failing
to offer crucial benefits like paid sick days," said New York
City Council Member Julissa Ferreras.

"Decent wages and fair working conditions--those are two of
the most basic rights of the American worker," said New York
State Senator Jose Peralta (D-Queens).  "Below minimum-wage
pay and exposure to potent chemicals without protective gear
or training is abusive and unacceptable."

"We cannot stand idly by as the car wash industry exploits
their hard-working employees with no regard for their
rights," said New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-
Queens). "We demand that car washes provide their workers
with living wages and a safe working environment."

"We take labor violations extremely seriously, and we will
not allow the unsafe work environments, low wages, and wage
theft to continue," said New York State Assembly Member
Francisco Moya (D-Queens).  "These violations are committed
disproportionately against immigrants and members of the
Latino community, individuals who are often scared to speak
up when they are being wronged."

"This campaign will raise awareness around the unsafe
conditions and poor wages some workers experience each day
they turn up to their jobs," said New York Council Member
Jimmy Van Bramer. "I support these workers' effort toward
fighting for fair wages and better working conditions in the
work place.

"This organizing effort is long overdue, and I am so thrilled
that Make the Road New York, New York Communities for Change
and RWDSU are all uniting around this important campaign,"
said New York Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-
Manhattan).

###

About WASH New York: Workers Aligned for a Sustainable and
Healthy New York WASH New York is a joint campaign of Make
the Road New York and New York Communities for Change, with
the help of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
(RWDSU), UFCW. These organizations are fighting for greater
workplace justice, health, and safety in New York City's car
wash industry. To learn more, visit www.washnewyork.org and
connect with the campaign on Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook
for the latest news, updates, and calls to action.

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