Unmasking Wage Theft: The Hidden Struggles of Car Wash Workers

This Hispanic Heritage Month, witness the untold stories of resilience as car wash workers demand justice and recognition.

The True Cost of a Car Wash (Latino Workers and Wage Theft)

As we honor Hispanic Heritage Month 2024, the powerful new documentary The True Cost of a Car Wash (Latino Workers and Wage Theft) by WorkingNation, reveals the harsh hidden realities of Hispanic and Latino workers in the car wash industry. The film unmasks the alarming issue of wage theft, where workers in Los Angeles County are cheated out of $26 to $28 million every week via overtime violations, tip theft, misclassification, and other labor practices. By showcasing the struggles of car wash workers, the documentary sheds light on a crisis that remains largely unrecognized by the public.

The first episode of the series, Hispanic Communities: Powering a New American Economy, calls on everyday car wash customers to confront the systemic injustices affecting vulnerable working-class communities. Among those featured in the documentary are Tia Koonse, the legal and policy research manager at the UCLA Labor Center, and Victor Narro, project director for the UCLA Labor Center. With their expert insights, they highlight the resilience and ingenuity of Hispanic and Latino working communities, emphasizing their vital role in shaping the American workforce and driving economic growth. This documentary serves not only as an exposé but also as a powerful call to action for justice.