National Clothesline

The Santa Monica, CA, city attorney last month warned all 51 laundry and drycleaning businesses in the city about consumer laws against gender bias in pricing.

City attorney Adam Radinsky wrote to the businesses explaining that, under California and Santa Monica law, it is illegal for any business to charge a different price for goods or services based on a customer’s gender.

The city attorney consumer protection unit plans to conduct a follow-up investigation later in the year to determine if businesses are following the law, Radinsky said.

“There are a number of these consumer issues that affect everybody and are unfair that people write off as doing business,” he said. “Fortunately there are laws to protect against this.”

Radinsky said he believes it is common for laundry and drycleaning businesses to charge women more than men for the same service.

Different prices may be charged only when there is a legitimate difference in the time, difficulty or cost of providing the goods or services, Radinsky says.

California law also requires all retail drycleaners and laundries to post a price list in a conspicuous area for their 15 most frequently requested services, using boldface type that is at least 14 points.

Businesses also must post a notice in a conspicuous place in at least 24-point boldface type that says, “California law prohibits any business establishment from discriminating, with respect to the price charged for services of similar or like kind, against a person’s gender. A complete price list is available upon request.”

“It’s a consumer issue that we have been looking at for a long time,” said Radinsky. “It can be a difficult area to police for consumers, because there is a perception that if they (businesses) can justify the difference, then it’s okay,” he said. “There has to be a concrete difference in what the businesses are supposed to do.”

Businesses that charge higher prices to one gender are liable to the customer for punitive damages of at least $4,000, plus attorney’s fees and subject to criminal prosecution with a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine.

Businesses that do not follow the price posting rules and fail to correct violations within 30 days of receiving written notice are liable for a civil penalty of $1,000.

The California Cleaners Association offers a gender-pricing compliance kit to help cleaners meet the law’s requirements. The kit is free for members. Call CCA, (916) 4430986, for details.

The California Cleaners Association will be targeting cleaners in the northern part of the state for several upcoming educational courses.

All classes will be at the Northern California Dry Cleaning School, which is at Snow Cleaners, Inc., located on 38 West Sonora Street in Stockton, CA.

A course focussing on bleaching and fabrics has been planned for Saturday, April 10. In the following month, CCA will cover the fine art of customer service on May 12.

On June 8, the association will examine the topic of management. Later in the year, drycleaning 101 and machine maintenance will be discussed on Saturday, Sept. 11.

CCA will present a seminar on pressing and finishing on October 9; it will be followed by a November 13 class that will cover leathers, gowns, wedding dresses and rugs.

All courses will meet for one day from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Tuition is $75 for CCA members and $125 for non-members. Discounted registration is available for cleaners who send two or more employees.

Class space is limited so CCA recommends registering as early as possible.

To register, visit CCA’s recently redesigned web site at www.calcleaners.com and click on the “Drycleaners” link. From there, click on the “Education” option on the right, and then on the “nor cal classes” link.

At the bottom of the page is an option to download a PDF registration file. Complete the information and return it with payment to the CCA office at: 530 Bercut Drive, Suite G, Sacramento, CA, 95814; or fax it with your credit card information to (916) 325-9990.

For more information, call CCA at (916) 443-0986 or (800) 390-9990.

California cleaners in need of certification for the Air Toxic Control Measure Training (Title 17, Calif. Code of Reg. Section 93110) will have many opportunities throughout the state in the coming months.

The California Air Resources Board requires all businesses with drycleaning workers to operate with proper, updated certification.

Those who fail to do so may bring about a minimum $150 fine. According to the California Cleaners Association, Bay Area inspectors are currently writing $500 fines on the spot for certification violations.

CCA will be sponsoring upcoming classes in the northern region of the state presented by certified CARB instructors Marti Russell and Bob Blackburn. Those in need of initial training or recertification should call Russell at (650) 593-3646 or Blackburn at (559) 781-4731 for more information.

Classes will also be available in the southern region of the state, presented by Dallons Environmental Services. Classes are usually held on the last Saturday of every month in Long Beach, CA.

Approaching dates include: March 27, April 24, May 29 and June 26.

Class size is limited to 30 people and pre-paid registration is required. The cost is $150 for initial certification and $75 for three-year recertification.

For more information, call Dallons Environmental Services at (800) 347-6551.