Los Angeles, CAWage theft is an ongoing California labor law violation, and it often happens at the car wash. Sadly, most victims are the Golden State’s most vulnerable workers: they are low wage earners, have the least education and fewest legal protections. Often, they are immigrants and people of color. Generally no one goes to jail for the theft so it occurs regularly, despite California making most wage theft a criminal offense last year.
Shine N Brite: In November 2022 Labor Commissioner’s Office issued fines against Shine N Brite car wash in Inglewood for failing to pay a minimum wage, as well as failing to provide overtime, a meal period, rest period and an itemized wage statement to 15 workers. An investigation determined that workers were paid a flat daily rate as low as $70 – they worked 8- to 10- hour days. Workers who complained about their wages and safety issues faced retaliation, including dismissal or reduced hours. Former Shine N Brite employee Fausto Hernandez first brought wage theft issues to CLEAN (below) in late 2020 and the Labor Commissioner’s Office began investigating about a year later. Hernandez, who was paid a daily flat rate of $70 but usually worked up to 10 hours some days, said he was also denied rest and lunch breaks on busy days. California’s minimum wage is $14 to $15 per hour, depending on the size of the company. Hernandez and other workers were paid as low as $7 per hour.
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