WORK IS A GRIND: CHIPPENDALES DANCERS IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA VOTE TO UNIONIZE
I’m a supporter of the labor movement, especially today. History shows how important unions are for the United States, despite the demonization and polarity against them, especially in Red states. But even I’m rather surprised to hear about how the maybe not so red anymore state of Nevada is soon to have a fresh, glistening labor movement in the Chippendales dancers at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. I’ve heard about other exotic dancers in other locations forming unions (or trying to). But this is the first time an all-male adult performer group has made the move to unionize.
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COULD CHIPPENDALES DANCERS FORMING A UNION CREATE A RIPPLE EFFECT IN AMERICA?
The news hit last week when a “supermajority” of the around 2 dozen dancers signed authorization cards. But their road to being a union isn’t done yet, as they may not receive “voluntary” recognition (from their employer). But if they don’t, the Chippendales dancers also filed the requisite paperwork with the National Labor Relations Board to hold a formal union election, if necessary. We’ll know if that’s the case if it happens in the next month or two. It’s big, appropriately (and, ahem, otherwise) bulging news that could create a…. ripple effect. You know, with labor?
Related:
Chippendales Dancers In Las Vegas About to Unionize
CHIPPENDALES DANCERS WANT JOB SECURITY, HEALTH CARE AND SICK DAYS LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE
Apparently, being a Chippendales dancer doesn’t offer any immunity to increased costs of living while not having the reciprocal increase in wages. And while I haven’t thought too much about it, I suppose staying in that sexy shape while maintaining a variety of dance skills must take a lot of effort and commitment. Needing time to work out, practice, eat the right foods and supplements and sleep enough can’t be easy on the budget. So their announcement to unionize makes sense. Well, and there’s the fact that having job security with a contract is probably pretty helpful, as well.
Several of the performers have worked as Chippendales dancers for several years, one as much as a decade, with no health insurance or any sick leave. Work shouldn’t be that much of a grind….
