North Hollywood exotic dancers walk off job to protest unsafe work environment
LOS ANGELES - Dancers at a topless bar in North Hollywood are protesting what they claim is an unsafe work environment.
A group of current and former employees of Star Garden along with an organization called Strippers United staged a walkout Friday.
"This is also just about a workforce that suffers a lot of exposure to the public and an in general have zero protections," said Antonia Crane, founder of Strippers United.
The workplace safety allegations range from sexual harassment, racism and assault.
Crane says the industry has gotten a lot harder in the past few years and management hasn’t helped.
"Basically if you breathe in the general direction of management you’re fired," she stated.
One dancer was recently let go after voicing a security concern over a customer.
"I was mocked and made fun of by the both manager on duty and the security guard. They told jokes about how I was going to be murdered by this customer," said former dancer Reagan.
Get your top stories delivered daily! Sign up for FOX 11’s Fast 5 newsletter. And, get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.
She enjoys her work but says extra pressure makes it difficult.
"The reality is that dancers in California are really oppressed by the system and are looking for a way out and it’s a very desperate culture right now in the strip clubs."
They say the walkout is huge for them and other entertainers who might not know their rights.
The dancers were planning on delivering their petition to the husband and wife that run Star Garden, but the duo called out for the day.
"She sounded very sick and was concerned that we all felt unsafe," said dancer Velveeta on telling her boss over the phone that they were walking out.
The topless dive bar remained open Friday night, but no dancers went on stage or were present at the club.
‘This is an example," added another dancer named Tess, "there is no change without example."
FOX 11 reached out to Star Garden management multiple times in person and via phone to no avail.
Tune in to FOX 11 Los Angeles for the latest Southern California news.