Recently, more than 100 labor supporters marched through the streets of Park Slope, Brooklyn to show solidarity for workers at a neighborhood car wash. Eight workers of Vegas Auto Spa have filed a federal lawsuit against their employer, and have been on strike for more than a month.
“We’ve been on strike for over a month now. The owner has closed, locked the door on us, and you know, we’re going to be on strike until the owner recognizes that we have a union here,” said worker Luis Garcia, through an interpreter.
Workers filed a federal suit against the car wash last month, alleging they were paid less than minimum wage. The suit demands $600,000 in overtime and other back wages.
“They have not been paid minimum wage, they have not been paid overtime pay,” said Stuart Appelbaum, head of the UFCW/RWDSU.
Owner Marat Leshehinsky denied the charges.
The car wash worker supporters, included members of New York Communities for Change, Make the Road New York, City Council members Brad Lander and Carlos Menchaca, and other RWDSU activists.
