“Families are struggling enough as it is. We appreciate State investigations into employers who are not treating and/or compensating their employees fairly.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
LOS ANGELES –On December 10, 2024, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) announced it has issued $1.3 million in fines for wage theft restitution and civil penalties against 19 car washes in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County and in Orange County. The LCO, a division of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), found that the car washes engaged in illegal business practices affecting 960 workers.
“Despite the law requiring car washes to register and post a bond with our office, many remain unregistered and thereby avoid complying with the law sought to protect workers. Employees in the car wash industry are extremely vulnerable to wage theft and other violations from bad actors, which is unacceptable. This case highlights our commitment to ensuring that employers follow the law, pay workers for all wages earned and provide them the protections they deserve,” said Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower.
The bulk of the penalties, $810,920, were centered around two businesses, Redondo Auto Spa LLC, operating under the name Redondo Car Wash located at 617 Torrance Boulevard in Redondo Beach, and Rock N Roll Car Wash LLC, operating under the name Rock N Roll Car Wash located at 1000 Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach.
According to LCO, these two car washes violated multiple state laws, including failing to register with the Labor’s Commissioner’s office, neglecting to pay the correct minimum wage and denying workers required rest breaks, among other infractions. Investigators also received allegations from workers indicating they suffered retaliation after cooperating in the investigation, including dismissals and reduced work hours. Retaliation investigations are underway.
Investigations into both Redondo and Rock N Roll car washes began in September 2022, with all other noted investigations starting in the fall of 2024. This case is part of the LCO’s California Strategic Enforcement Partnership and was referred by the Community Labor Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), a nonprofit organization that advocates for car wash workers.
Additional businesses cited include:
- 1st Pass, LLC
- Canyon Auto Spa
- Ceeson USA Inc.
- Century 1318, Inc.
- Crenshaw Imperial Car Wash Inc.
- Davey E. Bluitt & Ailetra B. Bluitt
- Flow Wash LLC
- Gael Car Wash LLC
- H&S Energy Products, LLC
- Inglewood Express Carwash, LLC
- Lucky 7 Car Wash LLC
- Lynwood City Carwash, Inc.
- Morsade Enterprises, Inc.
- Rallysport Autospa LLC
- Robert Mcelroy LLC
- Springbok Capital Group LLC
- Village Auto Spa Inc.
