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Victory! United Methodist Church Divests from Private Prisons

The United Methodist Church has divested from Corrections Corporation of America and the Geo Group!
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Prison Industry Divestment Campaign

National Day of Action
Join the Fight Today
Enlace, in partnership with community groups and unions across the US, is calling on all public and private institutions to divest their holdings in Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and GEO Group, America’s largest private prison corporations which have profited from billions in taxpayer money. Watch the Campaign Video.
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Peer Trainer Program Grows

The Enlace Institute’s Peer Trainer Program, is showing a 41% increase in enrolled participants in its second two-year training series.
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Press Conference at Vermont Carwash

Los Angeles Carwash Workers Win Major Victory to End Worker Abuse, Gain Justice on the Job

JUDGE ORDERS YEAR IN JAIL FOR CARWASH OWNERS

(Los Angeles) On August 17th carwash workers, and community and union members of the Community-Labor-Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), rallied at Vermont Hand Wash in support of carwash workers who have been fighting for a voice on the job for more than two and a half years. The event announced the car wash workers’ victory against corporate abuse: the announcement by the City Attorney that two of Los Angeles’ worst carwash owners –brothers Benny and Nissan Pirian—have each been sentenced to one year in jail.

“Today carwash owners are on notice that this is a new day in Los Angeles. Abuse of workers will no longer go unchecked,” said Maria Elena Durazo, head of the Los Angeles Federation of Labor.
“The Pirian brothers were held accountable because workers at the Pirian carwashes collectively stood up for their rights and for better conditions on the job. Their efforts to organize for a voice are finally bringing accountability to the carwash industry,” said Henry Huerta, director of the CLEAN Carwash Campaign.
Luz Elena Oseguera, a union supporter who was fired from Vermont Hand Wash, told the crowd, “I want to say to all carwasheros that what happened to the owners of this carwash means there is justice for us workers. We are going to keep fighting until we have a union, because that’s the only way that we are going to have real justice on the job.”

“Carwash workers reported the violations that led to the criminal complaint, and to this conviction. Owners should take notice that workers can—and will—continue to expose illegal workplace conditions in their fight for a voice at work,” added Huerta.
On August 13, the Pirian brothers, who have become the face of abusive and unrepentant owners in the carwash industry, each pled no contest to six criminal charges brought by the LA City Attorney and were each sentenced by a judge to 365 days in county jail. This is in addition to the restitution they will still have to pay workers in the case.
Protective orders were also issued that prohibit Benny and Nissan Pirian from attempting to intimidate or dissuade any employee or victim in the criminal case from participating in the prosecution of any law enforcement or legal action, and from unlawfully prohibiting these workers from engaging in union activities.

The Pirians remain on probation for four years. During the term of their probation, the carwashes have to keep their payroll and any health and safety-related records open for inspection, without notice, by the City Attorney to ensure continued compliance with terms of the judge’s order. If the Pirians violate the terms of their probation, the remedy is to send them back to jail. The case moves forward with respect to the remaining defendant, former Vermont Hand Wash manager Manuel Reyes.
The Los Angeles City Attorney filed charges of criminal misconduct against Benny and Nisan Pirian, as well as Manuel Reyes and four of the Pirians’ carwash businesses – Vermont Hand Wash, Five Star Car Wash, Celebrity Car Wash, and Hollywood Car Wash – back in February 2009. The charges against Manuel Reyes include witness intimidation, brandishing a deadly weapon and sexual battery.

Justice for Pirian Carwash Workers!

After nearly two and a half years of arduous struggle, firings, wage loss, intimidation and violence, and countless hours of picketing, rallies delegations and vigils with the support of the LA community, workers at Pirian carwashes will finally see justice. Benny and Nisan Pirian have each been sentenced to one year in jail!!

On Friday afternoon the notorious brothers, who have become the face of abusive and unrepentant owners in the carwash industry, pled no contest in the criminal case brought by the LA City Attorney and were sentenced by a judge to 365 days in county jail. This is in addition to the restitution they will still have to pay workers in the case.
The victory for the Pirian carwash workers is a victory for all carwash workers; it could not send a clearer message to carwash owners that the days of exploiting workers with impunity are gone.

Please join us to celebrate the years of struggle by these workers and your tremendous solidarity with them, and help us ensure that this message reaches every carwash owner in California!

Rally and Press Action
Tuesday, August 17th at 11AM
Vermont Hand Wash
1666 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
(corner of Hollywood and Vermont)

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