The Chippendales, Las Vegas’ infamous male stripper and dancer revue, are seeking to unionize in an effort to gain higher wages and benefits.
The group, which is based out of the in Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and regularly goes on tour, intends to unionize with Actors’ Equity Association – which has helped two strip clubs in Portland and Los Angeles respectively do the same.
‘We love Chippendales and value being a part of this incredible institution. But we also believe our situation here isn’t keeping up with industry standards.
‘In order to continue providing the world-class entertainment that has always been the Chippendales calling card, we need to have a world-class workplace – and that means fair pay, decent benefits, safety and accountability,’ the dancers leading the cause told The Hollywood Reporter.
If successful, the group would become the first all-male revue ever to unionize in Las Vegas.
Cast member Freddy Godinez, who has been with the company for two years explained: ‘The biggest issue that was surprising to me was health benefits, specifically, and sick leave.
‘There are performers there that have been with the show for seven yeas, one of them has been there 10 years, and the there are no benefits offered for the performers.
‘To me, that is kind of a minimum that companies should be able to provide for, especially for their full-time performers.’
According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, over two dozen cast members signed union authorization cards last week – which reinforced their plan to hold a formal vote to unionize with Equity.
Local leader Marci Skolnick of the Association, which is headed nationally by actress Brooke Shields, said in a statement: ‘The entire Las Vegas Equity community is thrilled to welcome the Chippendales into our ranks.
‘The recent victory by the Culinary Workers Union, who successfully unionized the hospitality workers up and down the entire strip, proves that Las Vegas is, and always has been, a union town.
‘Actors’ Equity Association is here to help the Chippendales get union contracts, complete with union benefits, that will enable them to make a real living doing what they do best.’
The performers as well as the Association have filed paperwork with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a union election. The vote is expected to be held in a month.
As of now, the dancers are paid a base rate which includes performing, posing for pics with ticket-holders, hanging it the Flirt Lounge adjacent to the showroom, rehearsals, likeness rights for merchandise and promotion and press and promotional appearances.
By unionizing, the dancers hope to improve compensation, especially for job expectations that are not a part of their role description.
‘We’re required to mingle with the girls after the show, we’re asked to do promos and other things and we’re not getting paid, it’s all part of our contract.
‘Their usual reply was, “Well, this is how it is,” but that doesn’t mean that’s how it has to be.