FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2019

Contact: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259

SENATE PASSES S.4030-A ENDING SUB-MINIMUM WAGES FOR CAR WASH WORKERS

Carwasheros Call on the Assembly to Pass A.6346-C Swiftly – and End the Tip Credit Once and For All

NEW YORK, NY – Today, the New York State Senate passed S.4030-A, which will require car wash workers downstate for the first time to be paid the full minimum wage. This is a big step in correcting an injustice for workers and towards ending the tip-credit loophole – which enabled employers to deduct tips from workers wages. Now, car wash workers are urging the Assembly to pass their bill quickly to put an end to their washed-out-wages.

“No worker should earn below the minimum wage – ever,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). “For far too long car wash workers in New York have earned poverty wages under the tip credit law. Today, the New York State Senate recognized that this abhorrent loophole has left immigrant workers susceptible to wage theft. As a result of the work of Senator Jessica Ramos and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins passing this critical legislation, over 5,000 workers will now have a chance to earn fair wages for their work. We are excited to work with Assemblymember Marcos Crespo and Speaker Carl Heastie on moving forward on the coordinating bill in the Assembly and ending this loophole for good.”

# # #

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.