E.D.A. Newsletter #6

______________________________________________________________________________ Issue No. 6 Exotic Dancer’s Alliance Summer 1996



E.D.A. GENERAL INFORMATION

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court did not approve the proposed sale of Bijou Group, Inc. (Market Street Cinema, Century Theater, Regal Show World) to owners of Deja Vu strip club chain; the proposed sale was for $750,000 and the business plan did not adequately address the payment of all creditors--especially current and former performers. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court has appointed an examiner who is to review the case and any new terms of sale for Bijou. The examiner will make a report of findings including a review of Bijou claimed expenses and revenue on August 12,1996.


All class certification issues have been resolved in the Mitchell Brother’s O’Farrell Theater class-action lawsuit; there are now 418 present and former dancers who represent the class, thirty of whom are still working at the theater. Plaintiff counsel maintains that the list of performers involved in the class-action suit be kept confidential, as retaliation against current performers by management may happen if any names are disclosed. The merits of the case will now be litigated by both the plaintiffs and the defense addressing employment status, non-payment of employee benefits, and illegal payment “stage fees.”

Performers at The Lusty Lady have organized to address current sub-standard working conditions; several performers have been working with Community Organizers at Service Employees International Union (S.E.I.U.), Local 790 to assist in unionizing their workplace and bargaining a contract with management. Several hearing dates have been scheduled in front of the National Labor Relations Board to address workplace issues as well as the eligibility of workers to encompass bargaining unit. Management has been recruiting Lusty Lady workers from Seattle to come work in San Francisco during the organizing campaign and has also hired 20-30 new workers in attempts to dismantle union support. For more on The Lusty Lady: see Inside Focus

The Lusty Lady Has Succeeded to Unionize
more info





INSIDE FOCUS

A letter to the community from S.E.I.U./United Public Employees, Local 790 on behalf of The Lusty Lady employees

  The women at The Lusty Lady have come together over a long standing source of exploitation in their work environment; one-way windows.
   These dancers perform nude on stage while viewers enjoy their show from behind glass. Selected windows consist of one-way glass, meaning the customer can see the dancer but not the other way around.
   Customers use the one-ways as an opportunity to film dancers, on a regular basis, without their knowledge, consent or compensation.    Although the general manager, June Cade, was aware of this situation, she remained unresponsive to her dancers plea for help. She, in fact, told individuals that if they couldn’t deal with the one-way glass, they would simply have to work elsewhere.   Dancers organized themselves and sought the support of Local 790 SEIU. After the threat of union was brought to June’s attention, the removal of the one-ways soon followed.
  The dancer’s, however, have determined to go through with the organizing process, to formally unionize and insure the one-way glass will never be reinstalled. They seek other policies as well, regarding sick leave coverage, concrete raise increases, and guaranteed shifts. None of these working conditions should be determined by the opinion of a manager, but should instead be based on very clear employee performance standards.

   We, the undersigned, strongly support these women in their effort to unionize. We recognize not only their right to do so, but the social significance of it. The given social climate affords little recognition or compassion to sex workers. There are almost no forces in or out of these establishments to which management is held accountable. This unique group of workers is, therefore, at particular risk for exploitation.
   We firmly believe these women will benefit from the protection of a union and strongly encourage these women to vote YES in their upcoming election.


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