Strippers' lawsuit has class-action status

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Friday, February 06, 1998
(via LVRJ)

Strippers' lawsuit has class-action status.

A judge has granted class-action status to a lawsuit filed by strippers who claim they are forced to share tips with club owners and are not paid minimum wage.

The decision handed down earlier this week by District Judge Stephen Huffaker means all erotic dancers, strippers, entertainers and hostesses who have worked in several Las Vegas clubs over the past two years may be considered plaintiffs in the lawsuit, attorney Ara Shirinian said.

The lawsuit filed in March against Cheetah's Lounge and Crazy Horse Too was expanded in May to include Crazy Horse Saloon, What's Up Lounge, Olympic Garden, Little Darlings of Las Vegas and the Girls of Glitter Gulch.

The clubs contend the women are independent contractors who come and go as they please. The lawsuit claims they are forced to work certain hours and follow other rules that make them, in truth, employees of the club.

As employees they deserve minimum wage, the lawsuit argues. The practice of "tipping out," or forced tip sharing, is illegal under Nevada law, the lawsuit notes.