After days of late-night picketing in North Hollywood, Los Angeles’ club dancers are on the cusp of achieving a significant victory. They are set to become the only unionized strippers in the United States. The formal union vote is expected to solidify this historic moment, as strip club workers will be represented by Actors Equity, a century-old union that has long supported singers, stage actors, and dancers.
The strippers’ campaign was marked by vibrant and colorful costumed protests, capturing the attention and support of notable figures. Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine and Chris Smalls, the president of Amazon Union, both showed solidarity with the dancers.
Charlie, a 23-year-old dancer at Star Garden, expressed the significance of their sacrifices, stating, “The sacrifices we made were definitely sacrifices, but it was for something bigger than us.” Their fight went beyond personal struggles to create a future where unionization is available for strippers who desire it. It was about a collective effort that transcended mere rent payments.
The campaign, which commenced in March 2022, shed light on the unsafe working conditions faced by dancers and the fear of reprisals if they spoke out about customers’ inappropriate behavior.
Until now, Actors Equity, a labor organization that represents over fifty thousand employees, had not organized union members from strip clubs. However, the union recognizes that the concerns of strippers are similar to those of other performers, ranging from wage theft to post-show security.
Kate Shindle, the union president, emphasized the shared ground between strippers and other Equity members, stating, “Strippers are live entertainers. Though some elements of their profession may be distinct, they are essentially performers and share many similarities with other Equity members who make a living through dancing.”
What Club Dancers Had To Say
Shindle commended the dancers from Star Garden for their bravery throughout the entire ordeal.
In addition to addressing dancer safety and combating sexual harassment, the union campaign focused on labor concerns faced by strippers, mirroring those of workers in various industries. These issues include workplace injuries that can impact dancers’ livelihoods and the necessity for accessible health insurance.
Charlie, the Star Garden dancer, highlighted the physical toll of their profession, stating, “Just walking around in six- to eight-inch heels every night is a lot of wear and tear on your body.”
The dancers faced legal battles for over a year, including the club’s announcement of bankruptcy. However, on Tuesday, the owners of Star Garden reached a settlement with the union, enabling the dancers to proceed with a union vote and aiding the club in reopening.
In a statement, Star Garden’s attorney, An Ruda, affirmed their commitment to negotiating a fair collective bargaining agreement with Actors Equity. Ruda declared that Star Garden chose to stay firm in its beliefs that all employees should be treated equally and with respect.
The journey towards unionization for Los Angeles’ club dancers has been arduous, but their determination and resilience have propelled them forward. As they inch closer to achieving their goal, their triumph will pave the way for better working conditions and representation within the strip club industry.
