The performers at Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood, California, are projected to become America’s only unionized strippers after their bosses withdrew their challenges to the union vote Tuesday.
The 15-month labor struggle began in March 2022 after Star Garden workers were fired while bringing safety concerns to management. The strippers first filed for a union recognition election in August and voted by mail in November.
The dancers also became known for their picket-line performances, holding them most weekends between the filing and the vote, blocking patrons and drawing their own crowds. The venue filed for bankruptcy in December.
Vote-counting by the National Labor Relations Board was delayed for six months due to challenges by Star Garden against the eligibility of some voters. Those objections have now been dropped.
The NLRB will count the votes starting Thursday and is expected to certify the Actors’ Equity Association union as the representation for workers at Star Garden.
The venue has agreed to recognize the union and will begin negotiations on a first contract with AEA within the next 30 days if the union is certified by the vote. The venue will also be able to reopen, with the caveat that dancers dismissed in 2022 be allowed back. The bankruptcy proceedings will stop.
In exchange, Star Garden will not have to replace its security firm. Security guards who were the subject of complaints regarding patron-dancer interactions will not be allowed back.
“I’m excited that all of my beautiful co-workers will finally have a seat at the table and a voice to discuss safety and other issues. This is a big day for us and dancers everywhere,” a Star Garden dancer going by the professional moniker Sinder said in the AEA announcement.
If the unionization is approved, Star Garden will become America’s only unionized strip club. A previous venue, the Lusty Lady in San Francisco, had workers affiliated with the Service Employees International Union from 1997 until its closing in 2013.
AEA represents over 51,000 actors and stage managers. At Star Garden, 19 employees are eligible to join the union, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“Every worker who wants a union deserves a union. The Star Garden dancers have been absolute warriors throughout this long process, and I’m thrilled that we’ve won recognition of their rights to safety and democracy in the workplace and representation at the bargaining table,” AEA President Kate Shindle said in the announcement.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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