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Top union leaders from one of UNI’s largest affiliates, America’s UFCW, were arrested as part of a demonstration in support of car wash workers in New York City this week.

Those arrested included UFCW President Marc Perrone and Executive Vice President Stuart Appelbaum. The union leaders had taken to the streets to support workers at Vegas Auto Spa in Brooklyn who have been on strike since November after they sued the car wash owner for hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages and damages.

UFCW International President Marc Perrone being arrested at the demonstration

The demonstration was led by striking immigrant workers and included car wash workers from across New York City. The protesters marched 10 blocks and blocked streets outside the car wash.

“These workers are not just hardworking men and women, they are part of our family. And, like every family, we will stand and fight for them,” Perrone said.

“They’ve earned the right to be treated better and fairly. We stand together to demand not only the better wages they are owed, but the right that every worker has to be treated with dignity and respect on the job.

“This is about the right of low-wage and immigrant workers across America to have their voices heard.”

UFCW International Executive Vice President Stuart Appelbaum being arrested at the demonstration

The workers voted unanimously to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), an affiliate of the UFCW, in January. The owner has repeatedly refused to settle the dispute with workers and engaged in threats and retaliation, the UFCW says.

UNI Deputy General Secretary Christy Hoffman said, “UNI Global Union and its 20 million strong global family stand together with New York City’s car wash workers in their fight for fair pay, dignity and respect.”

Some workers at Vegas Auto Spa say they have been paid less than the minimum wage and have not received their allotted time and a half for overtime. Others say they have worked 70 to 90 hours a week. The workers have already sought the help of the courts, alleging that they are owed back wages and damages. They have filed complaints with Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) about unsafe working conditions and not receiving the proper safety equipment to deal with the toxic chemicals used to clean cars.

Vegas Auto Spa was the tenth New York City car wash where workers voted to join the RWDSU/UFCW as part of the WASH New York campaign. Demonstrators urged the New York City Council to pass the Car Wash Accountability Act, legislation that would crack down on unlawful employers and bring transparency and accountability to an industry that has a history of mistreating its workers.