Exotic Dancers at North Hollywood Bar Become The Nation’s Only Unionized Strippers

Strippers at a North Hollywood bar just became the first set of unionized strippers since 1996.

On Tuesday, the dancers at Star Garden Topless Dive Bar received a significant victory after management decided to abandon their opposition to the dancers’ guild election. This development marks the first-ever strippers’ union since the Lusty Lady Peepshow formed the Exotic Dancers Union in 1996.

According to The Los Angeles Times, the conclusion of the 15-month conflict brought relief to dancers who had filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board last year seeking improved working conditions. The dancers took this action after incidents of club security failing to safeguard them against disruptive patrons.

The dancers’ representation will be handled by Actors Equity Union, a labor union primarily dedicated to individuals in the theater industry. Last year, Kate Shindle, president of the union, said that the dancers should be granted protections from “sexual harassment discrimination and unjust terminations.”

“We applaud their efforts to seize their collective power and unionize, like so many others across the country who are fed up with toxic workplaces,” she said. “When they approached us for support, we did what unions should do: We said yes.”

Nevertheless, the union congratulated the dancers shortly after the successful win.

“After a 15-month effort, the strippers of Star Gardens Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood, CA have achieved their goal of union recognition – Congratulations! Next step: a fair contract for these workers,” the union tweeted.