S O UTHEASTEDIT I ON
AUTOBODY AL / FL / GA / MS / NC / SC / TN / VA / WV
Hundreds of Individuals in the Industry Get Much-Appreciated Help from CIF ((Foundation) by John Yoswick
Bryan Kim’s collision and mechanical repair business, like many others, was struggling this spring as the COVID-19 virus and economic shutdown hit the Catonsville, MD, area. Sales at ASE Auto Center were down as much as 50% some months, not enough to cover rent and payroll. “We started bleeding money a little than some shops, that actually shut down for a week or two, but once we started, we bled a lot of money,” said Kim, who has owned the nine-employee business for seven years.
Adding to the challenge: Kim’s fiancé and his shop manager’s wife both contracted COVID-19, forcing Kim and his manager to each stay away from the shop for several weeks. “I didn’t want to bring it to the facility, and luckily no one who works here got sick,” he said. The situation was made a little bit easier, he said, because of some assistance from the Collision Industry Foundation, the nonprofit dedicated to providing emergency financial help or other assistance to members See Help from Foundation, Page 12
VA Dealership Damaged in Riots by Steven Symes, Motorious
Adams Motor Company in Lynchburg, VA, fell victim to rioting the night of May 31. Both the exterior of the building as well as several classic cars were damaged. After an initial assessment of the damage, the owner, Ralph Beck, says he estimates it will cost at least $100,000 to repair both the building and cars. According to a local news report, the riot originally targeted Fifth and Federal Station, a restaurant next door. The restaurant’s Twitter account made a controversial post, which resulted in a protest in front of
it May 31. Then things turned ugly and a riot erupted. While several police officers were injured, despite someone shooting into police vehicles, thank-
Adams Motor Company in Lynchburg, VA, after it was damaged May 31. See Damaged in Riots, Page 6
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AUTOBODYNEWS.COM Vol. 11 / Issue 5 / July 2020
How CIF Assistance Has Benefited Collision Repair Professionals in Time of Need by Stacey Phillips
When the coronavirus restrictions were first put into place, the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) recognized the challenges being faced by the industry. As a result, the nonprofit organization set up a special COVID-19 fund to support collision repair professionals impacted by the pandemic. “Since 2001, CIF has been dedicated to raising, managing and donating funds to provide emergency relief to collision repairers who have
been impacted by natural disasters or other catastrophic events,” said Michael Quinn, CIF board president and SVP of business development at AirPro Diagnostics. “The donations we received for the COVID-19 fund were vital to help repairers across the country.” CIF established the fund with $100,000 raised previously, and CCC Information Services matched that amount. Other industry organizations and individuals then donated to the fund, including AirPro Diagnostics, Guy Bargnes, Colette See CIF Assistance, Page 20
SC Auto Body Shop Pays $21,874 in Back Wages and Damages for Overtime Violations After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Coastal Collision & Glass Inc., an automotive body repair shop based in Surfside Beach, SC, has paid $21,874 in back wages and liquidated damages to six employees to resolve overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA.) WHD investigators determined Coastal Collision & Glass Inc. failed to pay employees overtime when they worked more than 40 hours in a work week, instead paying straight time rates for all hours worked. The employer also failed to keep accurate records of hours worked for one employee. The law requires employers to pay most employees overtime at time-and-one-half their regular rates of pay for hours they work beyond 40 in a work week. “Our work continues to ensure that workers are paid the wages they have legally earned, and that employers compete on a level playing field,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Jamie Benefiel, in Colum-
bia, SC. “We encourage all employers and employees to contact us for assistance in understanding their obligations and rights under the law. Violations like those found in this case can be avoided.” The department offers numerous resources to ensure employers have the tools they need to understand their responsibilities and to comply with federal law, such as online videos, confidential calls or in-person visits to local WHD offices. For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the toll-free helpline at 866-4USWAGE (487-9243.) Employers who discover overtime or minimum wage violations may self-report and resolve those violations without litigation through the PAID program. Information is also available at https://www.dol.gov/ agencies/whd. WHD’s mission is to promote and achieve compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the nation’s workforce. WHD enforces federal minimum wage, See Overtime Violations, Page 10
6/15/2020 5:21:45 PM