NLRB Complaint Cites Retaliatory Attacks on Los Angeles Carwash Workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48753057-nlrb-complaint-cites-retaliatory-attacks-on-los-angeles-carwash-workers

By admin - Posted on June 3rd, 2009

June 2, 2009 -- Pittsburgh – Workers employed at a Los Angeles carwash who are seeking to improve their standard of living by forming a labor union with the United Steelworkers (USW) are one step closer to achieving victory following a complaint issued May 28 against Vermont Hand Wash Inc., by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
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When some 40 employees decided in April 2008 to exercise their rights to organize a union to bargain collectively with carwash owner Benny Pirian, they became subject to threats, intimidation, humiliation, unlawful interrogation and surveillance, according to the NLRB’s complaint. Vermont Hand Wash management has been charged with targeting and firing three union leaders because of their union activities.

Vermont Hand Wash is one of several carwashes that Benny Pirian or members of his family operate in greater Los Angeles. The USW responded to a call for assistance from carwash workers in that area last year and has been actively involved in bringing union representation to that industry.

The NLRB’s complaint describes violent opposition from Pirian’s management after they learned of workers’ intentions to start a union. The complaint alleges, among other retaliatory acts, that Vermont management cut the hours of union supporters or assigned them less desirable duties, and unplugged the time clock when union supporters picketed the carwash, resulting in a loss of wages to workers who were on the job.

The complaint identifies one manager, Manuel Reyes, who even threatened employees on multiple occasions with weapons – bullets, a machete, and a combat knife. The NLRB also charges Reyes with similarly threatening two union organizers with a side-handle billy club in front of carwash employees.

Labor Law Fails Workers
USW International President Leo W. Gerard described the tactics chronicled in the complaint as evidence of the need to reform this country’s labor laws.

FULL story at link.

[John Q. Citizen]

1. Yep. The laws currently favor the scum bags and we need to change that.