RWDSU carwasheros in Queens, New York, walked off the job on Friday, forcing their employers to sit down for contract negotiations.
Car wash workers at Off-Broadway Car Wash in Queens, New York, walked off the job on Friday, forcing their employers to sit down for contract negotiations. The 15 RWDSU members shut down the facility on Thursday, picketing the location until management agreed to come to the table.
Even though their wages increased from $4 an hour to about $6.25 an hour after they voted to join the RWDSU last November, employees said problems have persisted. Since joining the RWDSU, workers have reported that the owner has retaliated against them by threatening to cut their hours, disciplining them without contacting the RWDSU, and refusing to meet with the union to bargain for a contract that will provide the carwasheros better working conditions.
“We’re fighting to better our working conditions,” said car wash worker Refugio Denicia Mora. “This is for all of us; this isn’t just for a couple of people.”
“It’s better, I’m not worried,” said Orlando Hernandez. “We’re doing this to have better wages in the future.”
During the demonstrations, the carwasheros idled the business, chanted, and handed out flyers. Eventually the store owner sent word that he would agree to discuss their wage and schedule concerns.
Stephen Hans, a lawyer representing the owner of Off-Broadway, said he expects the workers to win a contract for higher wages and more days off.
The car wash is one of eight citywide that voted to join the RWDSU over the past two years. Roughly 200 workers out of the 5,000 who clean cars in the city now have a union voice on the job.
Car wash workers at Off-Broadway Car Wash in Queens, New York, walked off the job on Friday, forcing their employers to sit down for contract negotiations. The 15 RWDSU members shut down the facility on Thursday, picketing the location until management agreed to come to the table.
Even though their wages increased from $4 an hour to about $6.25 an hour after they voted to join the RWDSU last November, employees said problems have persisted. Since joining the RWDSU, workers have reported that the owner has retaliated against them by threatening to cut their hours, disciplining them without contacting the RWDSU, and refusing to meet with the union to bargain for a contract that will provide the carwasheros better working conditions.
“We’re fighting to better our working conditions,” said car wash worker Refugio Denicia Mora. “This is for all of us; this isn’t just for a couple of people.”
“It’s better, I’m not worried,” said Orlando Hernandez. “We’re doing this to have better wages in the future.”
During the demonstrations, the carwasheros idled the business, chanted, and handed out flyers. Eventually the store owner sent word that he would agree to discuss their wage and schedule concerns.
Stephen Hans, a lawyer representing the owner of Off-Broadway, said he expects the workers to win a contract for higher wages and more days off.
The car wash is one of eight citywide that voted to join the RWDSU over the past two years. Roughly 200 workers out of the 5,000 who clean cars in the city now have a union voice on the job.