Since last year, workers at Robertson Car Wash in the Beverlywood area have been picketing and it’s been the talk of the town.  The picketers are trying to get the owner of the car wash to join the car washers’ union.

In the fall of last year CLEAN (Community Labor Environmental Action Network) Carwash Campaign celebrated a great victory when the first Southern California car wash workers (at Bonus Car Wash) signed a 2 year agreement which guaranteed better treatment in a controversial industry with a history of violations.  Their contract included a wage increase, safety guarantees and job security.

Since then, the campaign has persisted as CLEAN tries to get more car washers secured into contracts which will help them maintain safe and secure jobs.  Chloe Osmer, director of the CLEAN Carwash Campaign said, “We encourage the other car washes… to step up to the plate and raise standards, and allow their workers to unionize as well…”.

 Workers at our local car wash, Robertson Car Wash, have followed suit and have been picketing since last year. 

I have been going to Robertson Car Wash for over 15 years, but it has been around for a lot longer than that.  I love going there because of the convenience (it’s very close to my house), the friendly service, great prices and most importantly the quality of work that they perform.  Although the ownership has changed once since I have been going, there are still many of the same employees on staff that were there when I started going 15 years ago.

I am in support of free speech and demonstration, but I do not like the manner in which these picketers have conducted their business over the last year and a half.  They are loud and many of the patrons of the car wash with whom I have spoken felt threatened and/or bullied by the picketers.  I especially feel  for the homeowners on 25th street who have to to listen to the almost constant rallies and all the yelling.

What do you think of the CLEAN Carwash Campaign?

Would you mind if prices went up a few dollars to help the workers at the car wash?  Do you think unions have gone to far?  What do you think of the picketing at the Robertson Car wash?  I would love to hear your views so please leave your comments below.