July 14, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Lawsuit Filed Against Three Santa Monica Area Car Wash Facilities For Unlawful Labor Policies:

A lawsuit was filed Monday on behalf of Latino car wash workers against three Santa Monica car wash facilities for “unlawful labor policies and practices resulting in thousands of hours of free labor at each carwash,” according to the suit.

The suit, lodged by Latino legal civil rights organization MALDEF, names Santa Monica Car Wash and Detailing, Millennium Car Wash, and Bumble Bee Car Wash as the three offending facilities.

The three car washes are all owned by Edna, Bijan and Kambiz Damavandi and will be pursued as a single entity.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for employees often being forced to work “off the clock,” without overtime pay, and without rest or meal breaks.

A rally was held along Pico Blvd. where it ended at Santa Monica Car Wash for a press conference.

Victor Viramontes, MALDEF National Senior Counsel, said its organization today filed a class action on behalf of four workers against three Santa Monica and Los Angeles area car washes for “violating the civil rights and the right to basic minimum wage and the rights under California wage and hour law.”

“This country and sadly the United States in particular, has a long history of stepping over the civil rights of Latino employees and failing to pay them minimum wage,” Viramontes said. “This is true throughout California and the southwest whether we’re talking about the fields, the kitchens, and sadly the car washes. But today four workers are stepping forward to say that history that many thought to be unchangeable will be changing and set out for a new future.”

MALDEF staff attorney Nicholas Espiritu said the class action lawsuit was filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Espiritu said the lawsuit challenged the employers systematic practice that’s designed to maximize the amount of work that they get out of their workers while minimizing the pay that they get.

“Their employer has violated California’s minimum wage and hour laws amongst other violations of California’s labor code and unfair competition act,” Espiritu said.

“These three car washes deny the workers the wages they are entitled to by engaging in practices such as requiring the workers to arrive up to half an hour early before work opens to set-up, but denying these workers the ability to clock-in until the employer deems there be enough cars there for all the workers to begin working.

“They also regularly deny workers lunch breaks, but fail to compensate these workers as they are entitled to under California law. Additionally, many of these workers work in excess of eight hours a day and in excess of 40 hours a week, but their employer has designed a time-keeping system to ensure that the workers are denied their ability to get overtime pay. These are but some of the various ways that the defendants in the case have denied their employees the wages that they are due.

“The plaintiffs have come here today to ask that the California courts provide them restitution for all their back wages and also injunctive relief to ensure that their employers cannot continue to exploit workers in this fashion.”

Maria Elena Durazo, LA County Federation of Labor President, said the pattern of abuse still continues to exist in the car wash industry.

“Here we go again, here we go again,” Durazo said. “Imagine that wage theft still occurs everyday in LA County like the car wash industry and they think they can abuse those workers because they are immigrants. That is the primary reason — they think they can abuse the workers. But the good news is that we have courageous immigrant workers who are fighting back and standing up for their rights.”

Durazo said she called upon the Santa Monica City Council to “step-up and defend and protect these workers within Santa Monica.”

Santa Monica Car Wash refused to comment on the lawsuit.

in News
<>Related Posts

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Film Review: Jurassic World: Rebirth

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“The story is simplistic and predictive, and that’s all it needs to be, because the age-old battle to survive the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

SM.a.r.t.Column: Does the Rand Corporation have a future in Santa Monica?

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“Although no one said it outright, it is clear to all that RAND is feeling—and will continue to feel—the impact...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...