Workers at Jomar Car Wash in New York City, who joined the RWDSU/UFCW  in April, went on strike after a worker was assaulted by a co-owner and then fired. About 15 Jomar workers walked out, demanding that the owners give co-worker Guillermo Anzures his job back. Workers returned to the job when managers agreed to rehire Anzures.

“We just want respect. We’ve always asked for it; we’ve never gotten it. That’s why we’re doing this,” said Anzures.

RWDSU Jomar Car Wash workers in New York City strike to help their co-worker return to work.

Anzures’ firing was the latest incident in what workers say is a campaign of harassment that began before employees overwhelmingly voted to join the RWDSU. While Jomar workers used their new union voice to help their co-worker, they are still demanding their employer negotiate a fair union contract.

Jomar workers say co-owner and manager Jose Pires has taken a range of actions against workers and their efforts to organize and bargain a contract. Anzures pressed charges against Pires, who was arrested and taken to the police precinct.

The NLRB is investigating previous complaints from union members. Union lawyers are also preparing a complaint over this latest assault.
Six car washes across New York City have voted to join RWDSU since last July. Hi-Tek car wash in Queens, New York, ratified a contract, and is the first car wash east of Los Angeles where workers have a union contract.