Editor's Note: The next-to-last paragraph in this story was updated Jan. 2 with corrected statistical information provided by the California Labor Commissioner's Office.
Carwash operations were fined more than $3.7 million this year by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office. Labor officials inspected 557 carwashes statewide during the year, issuing 503 citations. Top violations included failure to register with the labor commissioner’s office and failure to carry workers’ compensation insurance, according to a press release.
The latest actions by Labor Commissioner Angela Bradstreet include filing a lawsuit this week against a San Diego carwash for failing to register.
“This is the second lawsuit filed this year against carwashes that continue to illegally operate without a registration,” Bradstreet said. “I want to send a clear and strong message to the carwash industry that this is unacceptable.”
Officials contend that Action Car Wash was not properly registered after inspections in February last year and again this March. The carwash has amassed $28,000 in penalties, including being cited for not providing workers’ compensation between Sept. 14, 2006 and Feb. 6, 2007.
The first lawsuit was filed in March against Scrub Boys in Sacramento, but the carwash came into compliance after paying $10,000 in fines and registering, according to officials.
“Identifying and taking action against carwash companies that operate illegally eliminates the competitive advantage they have over employers who operate within the law,” Bradstreet said.
A total of 863 carwash registrations were issued this year in California, a 35 percent increase over 2007, according to officials.
Earlier this year, Bradstreet negotiated a $450,000 lawsuit settlement on behalf of 60 workers of Hollywood Riviera Carwash in Redondo Beach.
Related Article