Carwash workers and Bet Tzedek staff take state agency to task for failing to protect carwash workers from abuse

Bet Tzedek staff members joined with carwash workers and other advocates to demand immediate implementation of the 18-month old Carwash Worker Law at a hearing held by the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) on Tuesday, June 21. NBC-4 News covered the event, and aired a segment with Attorney Becky Monroe, Director of Bet Tzedek's Employment Rigths Project.

Monroe said, “The DLSE has failed to enforce a single provision of the Carwash Worker Law, which was to go into effect on January 1, 2004. This is a disturbing dereliction of duty that must be remedied immediately. Under the law’s three-year sunset provision, the DLSE’s inaction means a half-wasted opportunity to make meaningful change. Meanwhile, workers continue to work in unsafe and unlawful conditions.”

Introduced by Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles), AB1688 was passed by the Legislature as the Carwash Worker Law in response to widespread abuses in the carwash industry. Labor advocates, the media and a UCLA study found that the carwash industry was plagued with labor law violations, including minimum wage, overtime, and rest and meal period violations. Many carwash workers earn no pay--only tips--for up to 14 hours a day of labor.

The Carwash Worker Law requires carwashes to register with the State Labor Commissioner and to pay a registration fee, which will be used to cover the government’s enforcement costs and to establish a restitution fund for workers who are owed unpaid wages.

Monroe and Kevin Kish, a Fellow at Valley Bet Tzedek who has focused his year-long fellowship on carwash workers’ struggles, represented Bet Tzedek at the hearing.

To read the full text of Bet Tzedek's letter to the State Labor Commissioner, click here >>

More about Bet Tzedek's Employment Rights Project >>