E.D.A. Newsletter #9

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Issue No. 9 Exotic Dancer's Alliance Summer-Fall 1997
Exotic Dancer†s Alliance is a collective group of self-identified female exotic dancers collaborating together to obtain adequate working conditions and civil rights within the sex industry. Our primary objective is to support all exotic dancers by providing information, referrals and services while collectively advocating for sufficient working conditions for this extremely diverse population.

E.D.A. GENERAL INFORMATION

***Exotic Dancer†s Alliance was recently awarded with a $20,000 grant from The San Francisco Foundation to provide outreach and training to exotic dancers during the following year. See Upcoming Events for more info. ***

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Local Updates

Bijou Group, Inc. (Market Street Cinema, New Century Theater, Regal Show World) has been making progress towards paying administrative fees, per U.S. Bankruptcy Court Re-organization plan guidelines, which include: Attorney fees, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Examiner, post-bankruptcy expenses. These fees must be paid in full before the unsecured creditors, including current and former dancers, are paid. ‹QuotaÊ systems ($150/shift) are still in effect at Market Street Cinema and New Century Theater. URGENT: Several of the proof of claim forms in the Bijou bankruptcy case have either been objected t o or lost. Creditors should receive written notice by mail from Bijou†s attorney, Michael St. James, (415) 421-8232.
addendum: After two angry creditors stormed into both the Bankruptcy Court and the office of Michael St. James, demanding the whereabouts of all these missing claims, this third folder containing just such thankfully managed to reappear the very next morning. * _Thank you D and H! *

A second dancer from the Crazy Horse Theater was reported to have received a settlement towards her Labor Commission claim this past Spring, which included compensation for back wages and ‹stage feesÊ for an employment period of approximately four years. The first dancer who had filed a claim with the Labor Commission in March 1996 after being fired for refusing to identify as an independent contractor of Crazy Horse on a signed declaration, was awarded back wages and ‹stage feesÊ in the Fall of 1996. Management recently implemented minimum wage, per Labor Commission rulings, but has adopted a new ‹commissionÊsystem ($40/shift ‹stage feeÊ + $20/day private room rental).

Dancers at the Gold Club have reported that they are now required to purchase cigars from the club, and sell them to the customers; however, if the customers do not buy any cigars, the dancers still have to pay for them.

 Lusty Lady workers reached the end of contract negotiations in April and secured the following: Improved working conditions; grievance & arbitration policies; rights & protections; slight wage increases. While pending unfair labor practice grievances have been resolved, several race discrimination complaints have been filed regarding scheduling.

An independent lawsuit was recently filed against Jennifer Bryce, plaintiff in the class action lawsuit against Mitchell Brother(s) O'Farrell Theater, by members of the Independent Dancers Association (I.D.A.) in another (4th) attempt to intervene as a third party in the class action suit. On July 17, a new trial judge, Hon. Garcia, granted the plaintiff†s motion to strike I.D.A.†s request under the anti-slap statute (plaintiff cannot be retaliated against for filing a lawsuit); I.D.A. members are now legally responsible for the payment of plaintiff†s attorney fees.

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National Updates

The Alaska Exotic Dancers Union, Affiliated with Teamsters Union, AFL-CIO recently formed their first chapter at an Anchorage club. They are also receiving organizing assistance from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Seattle, and have recently filed over 20 unfair labor practice grievances against management; NLRB will implement the union immediately if the club does not resolve complaints. Showboat dancers in Fairbanks are also organizing .

E.D.A. and the Exotic Dancers Union (E.D.U.), S.E.I.U., Local 790 have been contacted by dancers and supporters from across the nation who want to organize strip clubs in these states: NV, NY, NC, PA, IN

INSIDE FOCUS
ïïïïïïï
A Fundraising event for EDA & Exotic Dancers Union,
SEIU, Local 790
June 12, 1997 Big Heart City

***Photographs by PZP ***

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR FABULOUS PERFORMERS AND VOLUNTEERS

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UPCOMING EVENTS

EDA Workshop Topics:

EDA will be coordinating approximately 24 skill building workshops over the next twelve months for dancers as well as others who work or have worked in the sex industry. For more information, or to reserve a space, please contact EDA at (415) 995-4745.

Labor Organizing: History, How to Unionize Sept. 22, 97
Employment / How to File Claims: DLSE, DFEH, DPH, CAL-OSHA Oct. 1 97
Police Sensitivity Training/Police Protection Sept. 97
Resume Writing / Career Counseling TBA
Computer Skills Oct. 97
Financial Planning sex workers
Taxes/IRS TBA
Health and Safety:  
  Medical Care / Alternative Medicine Sept. 97
  Self Defense Dec. 97
Support Groups:  
   Women of Color TBA
   Substance Use:Resources for Users in Recovery/Clean & Sober TBA
   Harm Reduction:Resources for Active Substance Users TBA 
   Queer Sex Worker Issues TBA 
   Domestic Violence/Sexual Abuse Dec. 97
   Parenting/Child care TBA 
   Stress Management Dec. 97
 Artist Workshops:  
   Performance Art Nov. 97
   Creative Writing Jan. 98
   Visual Art Jan. 98
   Film/video Nov. 97
   Publishing work Jan. 98
   Exhibiting work TBA
   The Artists Way TBA

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If you have concerns about your working conditions,
please contact E.D.A. - All info. will be kept confidential

If you would like to be listed in the announcements section
of our next newsletter, please contact E.D.A.



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