Strippers In The U.S. Want Better Work Conditions. Some Are Trying to Unionize
Strippers In The U.S. Want Better Work Conditions. Some Are Trying to Unionize
Velveeta, a stripper, addresses the crowd attending a rally in support of strippers from the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar on August 19, 2022 in North Hollywood. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Velveeta, a stripper, addresses the crowd attending a rally in support of strippers from the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar on August 19, 2022 in North Hollywood.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty ImagesFor the past six months, dancers at the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in Los Angeles have been striking almost every weekend.
This is because the strippers say they've faced unsafe working conditions, including assault and harassment from customers.
After the dancers say they were unable to meet with club managers to discuss their demands and were not allowed to work, they launched an effort to form a union.
NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Siobhan Brooks, a former dancer and now a professor at Cal State Fullerton, who worked at the first strip club to be successfully unionized in the U.S.
This episode also features reporting from NPR's Brianna Scott and KCRW's Robin Estrin.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Brianna Scott. It was edited by Bridget Kelley. Additional reporting from KCRW's Robin Estrin. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.