Dancers at a Los Angeles bar could soon become the only unionized group of strippers in the U.S. The Actors’ Equity Association labor union says that owners of the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood have withdrawn their opposition and agreed to recognize the strippers’ union. Dancers at the club have been seeking safer workplace conditions, better pay and health insurance, among other benefits for 15 months. But their unionization drive was stalled by objections and legal challenges from the club's management. The union announced this week that management had agreed to a settlement, and a formal vote count by the National Labor Relations Board has been set for Thursday.

Apparently, I’ve been under a rock as today’s thread from Cory Doctrow - @pluralistic@mamot.fr is the first I had heard of this.

Where I live such entertainers are considered independent contractors (1099) and as such it is ILLEGAL for them to unionize. Is there something different in California that qualifies them as employees (W2)?

If not, how did they get around the capitalist governments’ rules?

    • ThrowawayEnglish
      16·
      11 months ago

      True, very true. Admittedly, I don’t go to strip clubs. Never felt the need when internet porn exists.

      But I do know that turnover is often encouraged to help keep unions from forming.