Thread: Inspectors find dirt on books at Southern Calif. carwashes

Inspectors find dirt on books at Southern Calif. carwashes
Owners frequently violate labor and immigration laws with little risk of penalty, officials say. Many workers are loath to complain, but some have formally accused their bosses of underpaying them.
Sonia Nazario and Doug Smith


A team of state inspectors strode into the Blue Wave Car Wash in West Los Angeles, past latte-sipping customers in electric massage chairs and into the gritty carwash tunnel.

“¿Cuánto gana usted?â€

[quote]“I cannot get legal employees,â€

All across the USA workers who are in this country illegally are being granted the right to sue for back wages under US labor laws. What is wrong with this picture?

To my knowledge the NLRB policies have determined that their own decisions cannot distinguish between "documented" and "undocumented" employees. I don't know about the cases that do not come under NLRB law, but I would guess that State wage and hour departments have roughly the same policy. However, perhaps employers that thought they could save a bundle by hiring illegals will think twice.

There needs to be a high level determination of what employment rights those who have unlawful presence in this country actually have. I think everyone who is in a foreign country has a certain legitimate expectation that they are treated under the applicable rule of law. Should this extend to economic issues--cases where there is no direct coercion or threat of force. i.e., situations where both parties have willingly enter into the bargain? Instead of a victim-perpetator relationship this could be deemed a conspiratorial alliance.

How many car washes are needed? These places should be shut down. Same as too many landscapers. The illegals should be deported.

Here's part of the problem the owner can save $5,000 to $10,000 a month and then is only finded $2,600, if I could make a hundered grand a year and that's all it cost I'd say that's doing good.
And Captainron is right even if they are illegals they can sue for back pay.
The thing I don't understand is if they came here for a better life and this is what they find why stay? Life can't be all that bad where they came from compared to this.

The thing I don't understand is if they came here for a better life and this is what they find why stay? Life can't be all that bad where they came from compared to this.

Right. When you look at the fact that they are on the bottom rungs in a society where the cost of living is much higher and they have had to spend a lot to get here it doesn't make so much sense. They could have used the money to start an enterprise back at home.

OTOH, they are exposed to so many things that they won't see at home, especially if they are from the more primitive areas. I see them in the stores with their little children reaching for all the goodies on the shelves. The kids throw a fit when they are forced away from it. If they manage to save they can send home money that will truly buy a lot--and they have the chance to get some legal award for extra money. How often would that happen at home?

They are probably egged on by stories about how much America has to offer and also by indivudal stories of those who made it higher in our society---to the level where they are displacing middle class Americans just trying to make it.

I don't think it is so much individual income that developing countries need--it is community development. Mexico, was supposed to use the economic benefits from NAFTA to improve their infrastructure--but did very poorly in carrying that out. A little taxation of the wealthy elites--and the saving of millions of coyote fees ----would give these people the resources to effect profound improvements at home.

Both parties knew what they were doing was wrong... I don't feel sorry for either one of them. They should both be held accountable. Neither one of them...IMO... is a victim! The employer should pay and the illegal deported! Our laws should be enforced!!

[quote]“I cannot get legal employees,â€

If Isaac Shanfeld wasn't arrested for the hiring of illegal invaders why wasn't the inspector's arrested for aiding and abetting the illegal aliens with their concerns for their wages?

Maybe the workers will settle the injustices for all of us.

Originally Posted by Captainron

The thing I don't understand is if they came here for a better life and this is what they find why stay? Life can't be all that bad where they came from compared to this.

Right. When you look at the fact that they are on the bottom rungs in a society where the cost of living is much higher and they have had to spend a lot to get here it doesn't make so much sense. They could have used the money to start an enterprise back at home.

OTOH, they are exposed to so many things that they won't see at home, especially if they are from the more primitive areas. I see them in the stores with their little children reaching for all the goodies on the shelves. The kids throw a fit when they are forced away from it. If they manage to save they can send home money that will truly buy a lot--and they have the chance to get some legal award for extra money. How often would that happen at home?

They are probably egged on by stories about how much America has to offer and also by indivudal stories of those who made it higher in our society---to the level where they are displacing middle class Americans just trying to make it.

I don't think it is so much individual income that developing countries need--it is community development. Mexico, was supposed to use the economic benefits from NAFTA to improve their infrastructure--but did very poorly in carrying that out. A little taxation of the wealthy elites--and the saving of millions of coyote fees ----would give these people the resources to effect profound improvements at home.

Your forgetting one thing Captain. Mexico will not subsidize the uncontrolled breeding habits of these people, resulting in the dreaded anchor baby which this country recognizes as an American Citizen, entitled to all the benefits that you or I would be.

They get housing subsidies, food stamps, medical care. In addtion, these invaders use that social security number as their own, enabeling them to secure employment.

So, they have three or four anchors, get a job making 8-10 bucks an hour under the table and they are doing three times better here than they could ever do in Mexico.