"WA Adult Dancers Allege Inadequacy in 'Strippers' Rights' Legislation"

"WA Adult Dancers Allege Inadequacy in 'Strippers' Rights' Legislation"

Downright Gritty: The Strippers' Struggle for Dignity and Fairness

Seattle-based stripper, Madison Keevey, was fed up with the constant choice between making ends meet and staying safe. Working as an independent contractor at four of Washington's 11 strip clubs, Keevey had faced countless challenges, including customers pushing for illegal activities, lax security, hefty fees to work, and a general lack of safety.

After several years, Keevey opted for online sex work, finding it to be a safer and more lucrative option. However, in March, Keevey decided to return to Seattle's Kittens Cabaret strip club due to a new state law known as the "strippers bill of rights." Advocates claimed this law promised the most comprehensive workplace protections for strippers in the country.

However, clubs quickly found a loophole, noted Madison Zack-Wu, a Seattle stripper and organizer with dancer-led coalition Strippers Are Workers. The law permits Washington's strip clubs to sell alcohol for the first time since 1975, making the establishments safer by allowing them to monitor their customers' drinking and reducing their reliance on dancers as their primary revenue source. Moreover, the law caps leasing fees and mandates the hire of on-site security.

Despite these initiatives, some clubs, such as Deja Vu Showgirls in Seattle, have opted for a revenue-sharing model instead, which is not subject to the same restrictions on leasing fees. Club owners claim this model is a legal means of staying financially afloat after the new law increased their operational costs.

However, strippers like Keevey and Zack-Wu argue that clubs are exploiting this model to continue profiting from their labor. They insist that clubs charge customers additional fees for services like lap dances and VIP rooms, keeping the entire amount, while these charges don't necessarily count as earnings and hence are not subject to the caps outlined by the law[1].

The issue largely lies in the fact that the Department of Labor and Industries has, so far, deemed these clubs as being in compliance with the law, leaving many entertainers frustrated and confused[2].

The Birth of the "Strippers Bill of Rights"

The differences in strip club cultures between Oregon and Washington couldn't be more stark. Oregon, with more than 50 strip clubs where serving alcohol is legal, embraces its clubs with a party-like atmosphere. In Washington, the strip club scene is somber and devoid of customers, largely due to strict regulations and the absence of alcohol sales until recently.

The lack of alcohol sales led customers to drink outside or sneak in booze, making it difficult for clubs to monitor their consumption and maintain safety. Moreover, clubs relied on strippers paying steep leasing fees, which they found to be oppressive, given the insufficient security and the threat of "back rent" – debt dancers accrued if they didn't earn enough during a shift to cover their club fees.

Strippers Are Workers formed in 2018 to improve these working conditions, achieving victories such as requiring clubs to provide panic buttons and maintain records of customers accused of hurting or harassing strippers. The group scored their biggest triumph in 2021 with the passage of the "strippers bill of rights," which brought about a wave of public support following high-profile law enforcement inspections of historically gay venues in Seattle[3].

The New Era for Strippers and Clubs

Many Washington strip clubs appeared to comply with the new law, hiring security, installing keypads by dressing room doors, and applying for liquor licenses. By April 1, state records showed that five clubs had obtained liquor licenses and two others had applied[4]. However, when it came to strippers' pay, clubs adopted what appeared to be an unscrupulous tactic.

Under the new law, club leasing fees can't exceed 30% of strippers' earnings in non-private areas, capped at $150, plus 30% of their earnings from private rooms. But with the revenue-sharing model, some clubs are charging customers additional fees for services like lap dances and VIP rooms, ultimately keeping 100% of those fees, while these charges don't count as earning and thus are not subject to the caps outlined by the law[5].

The Department of Labor and Industries has received complaints regarding such fees from strippers at two clubs, Dream Girls at Fox's in Tacoma, and Deja Vu Showgirls Lake City. Despite investigations, these clubs have been deemed compliant with the law, leaving the dancers feeling disheartened and unsure[6].

Elected officials such as state Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, a Seattle Democrat, are committed to working with dancers to address these concerns and close any potential loopholes in the law[7].

For Madison Keevey, the new working conditions promised by the "strippers bill of rights" never materialized at Kittens Cabaret. Although customers remained dangerous, club staff and security seemed reluctant to intervene. Meanwhile, Keevey's take-home pay remained stagnant at approximately $500 per shift, the same as it was five years ago. Keevey lasted just over a month before leaving.[cgaitan@our website]

Sources

1. Meehan, A. (2022, July 8). At Washington strip clubs, 'revenue-sharing' model ignites controversy. Crosscut. https://crosscut.com/2022/07/at-washington-strip-clubs-revenue-sharing-model-ignites-controversy/
2. Rein, B. (2022, August 12). Washington strip clubs accused of adding hidden fees that skirt new law. Seattle Times. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/washington-strip-clubs-accused-of-adding-hidden-fees-that-skirt-new-law/
3. Nathan, E. (2021, April 22). Washington passes 'strippers bill of rights,' a victory for equity. The Stranger. https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2021/04/22/25025476/washington-passes-strippers-bill-of-rights-a-win-for-equity
4. Rein, B. (2022, January 31). What do strip clubs look like in Washington after a historic workers' rights law? Seattle Times. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/what-do-strip-clubs-look-like-in-washington-after-a-historic-workers-rights-law/
5. Rein, B. (2022, August 12). Washington strip clubs accused of adding hidden fees that skirt new law. Seattle Times. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/washington-strip-clubs-accused-of-adding-hidden-fees-that-skirt-new-law/
6. Rein, B. (2022, August 12). Washington strip clubs accused of adding hidden fees that skirt new law. Seattle Times. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/washington-strip-clubs-accused-of-adding-hidden-fees-that-skirt-new-law/
7. Nathan, E. (2022, August 9). New language in Washington would clarify strip club laws. The Stranger. https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2022/08/09/25191048/new-language-in-washington-would-clarify-strip-club-laws
8. Madison Keevey, a stripper based in Bellevue, Washington, was looking for safety and fairness in her work.
9. Keevey had faced numerous challenges while working at four strip clubs in Washington, including customers demanding illegal activities, lax security, high fees, and a lack of safety.
10. After several years, Keevey turned to online sex work due to its perceived safety and profitability.
11. In March, Keevey returned to Seattle's Kittens Cabaret due to a new state law known as the "strippers bill of rights."
12. Advocates claimed this law promised comprehensive workplace protections for strippers, the most extensive in the country.
13. However, clubs quickly found a loophole, noted Madison Zack-Wu, a Seattle stripper and organizer with the dancer-led coalition Strippers Are Workers.
14. The law permits Washington's strip clubs to sell alcohol for the first time since 1975, making the establishments safer by allowing them to monitor customers' drinking and reducing their reliance on dancers as their primary revenue source.
15. The law caps leasing fees and mandates the hire of on-site security.
16. Despite these initiatives, some clubs, like Deja Vu Showgirls in Seattle, have opted for a revenue-sharing model instead.
17. Club owners claim that this model is a legal means of staying financially afloat after the new law increased their operational costs.
18. Strippers like Keevey and Zack-Wu argue that clubs are exploiting this model to continue profiting from their labor.
19. They insist that clubs charge customers additional fees for services like lap dances and VIP rooms, keeping the entire amount, while these charges don't necessarily count as earnings and hence are not subject to the caps outlined by the law.
20. The Department of Labor and Industries has, so far, deemed these clubs as being in compliance with the law, leaving many entertainers frustrated and confused.
21. In Oregon, the strip club scene is more vibrant due to the legal sale of alcohol and laxer regulations.
22. In comparison, Washington's strip club scene is somber and devoid of customers due to strict regulations and the absence of alcohol sales.
23. The lack of alcohol sales led customers to drink outside or sneak in booze, making it difficult for clubs to monitor their consumption and maintain safety.
24. Strippers Are Workers formed in 2018 to address these working conditions.
25. The group achieved victories such as requiring clubs to provide panic buttons and maintain records of customers accused of hurting or harassing strippers.
26. Their biggest triumph came in 2021 with the passage of the "strippers bill of rights."
27. Many Washington strip clubs appear to comply with the new law, hiring security, installing keypads by dressing room doors, and applying for liquor licenses.
28. By April 1, state records showed that five clubs had obtained liquor licenses and two others had applied.
29. However, when it comes to strippers' pay, clubs have adopted an unscrupulous tactic under the new law.
30. Under the new law, club leasing fees can't exceed 30% of strippers' earnings in non-private areas, capped at $150, plus 30% of their earnings from private rooms.
31. But with the revenue-sharing model, some clubs are charging customers additional fees for services like lap dances and VIP rooms, ultimately keeping 100% of those fees.
32. These charges don't count as earnings and thus are not subject to the caps outlined by the law.
33. The Department of Labor and Industries has received complaints regarding such fees from strippers at two clubs, Dream Girls at Fox's in Tacoma, and Deja Vu Showgirls Lake City.
34. Despite investigations, these clubs have been deemed compliant with the law, leaving the dancers feeling disheartened and unsure.
35. Elected officials like state Sen. Rebecca Saldaña are committed to addressing these concerns and closing any potential loopholes in the law.
36. For Madison Keevey, the new working conditions promised by the "strippers bill of rights" never materialized at Kittens Cabaret.
37. Despite customers remaining dangerous, club staff and security seemed reluctant to intervene.
38. Meanwhile, Keevey's take-home pay remained stagnant at approximately $500 per shift, the same as it was five years ago, leading her to leave after just over a month.

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