In October 1967, three dancers protested outside a Vancouver club for better pay and working conditions. Fast forward to today, Montreal sex worker Adore Goldman is organizing a strike during F1 weekend for improved labor rights and sex work decriminalization. She advocates for strippers to be treated as employees rather than independent contractors to ensure safety and fair compensation.
Goldman, alongside the Sex Work Autonomous Committee (SWAC), is focusing on challenging the “bar fee” imposed on dancers, which can reach up to $100 during busy times like F1 weekend. Strippers often struggle with high fees and lack of protection in the workplace.
Independent contractors in the sex industry face uncertainties like sudden fee hikes and arbitrary dismissals. The lack of labor rights and safety measures leave workers vulnerable to exploitation and violence. Goldman emphasizes the need for industry-wide unionization to combat these issues and push for decriminalization.
The strike aims to raise awareness and advocate for better working conditions in the sex industry, including strip clubs and massage parlors. Strippers like Goldman stress the importance of collective action to address the challenges they face daily.
Despite legal complexities and societal stigmas, unionizing could pave the way for improved rights and protections for sex workers. The goal is to create a legitimate platform for workers to voice their concerns and push for industry-wide reforms. The ultimate vision is to establish a union that represents all sex workers and fights for their rights in a unified manner.