Home of the Magic Tavern Dancers Strike
wearethemagic.org
Photo: Steve Gibbons
On April 4th, strippers of Portland’s Magic Tavern announced that they would be striking against unsafe working conditions, racial discrimination, and the unfair removal of dancers from the schedule.
June 5th, these dancers officially filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board to be represented by Actors’ Equity.
The same union that represents strippers at Star Garden in North Hollywood, CA.
Photo: Steve Gibbons
The Petition
On March 26, 2023, owner Ben Donohue fired dancers in retaliation for them notifying him of unsafe working conditions.
On April 4, 2023, The Magic Tavern Dancers published a public statement and petition demanding:
Trained and dedicated security staff
Ending racial discrimination towards Black dancers, music choices, and taking down racist decorations
Provide a properly installed pole
Installing security cameras inside the club in all customer facing areas except the bathroom
Fixing the mysterious gas smell emanating from the kitchen
Providing a lock on the dressing room door
And more..
(please do not donate thru change.org)
Photo: Steve Gibbons
Press Coverage
Photo: Allison Barr
Street Roots
Magic Tavern dancers striking to be second unionized club in US
By Aurora Biggers | June 21st 2023
The Oregonian
Strippers aim to unionize at Portland club: ‘We want to be able to go and do our jobs’
By Kristine de Leon | June 7th 2023
KATU2
Portland strip club dancers unionize, demand safer work environments
By Frances Lin | June 12th 2023
Press inquiries please email press@actorsequity.com
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Donate to our dancer fund. Every donation goes back to dancers currently on strike.
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Resources for Strippers
PDX SWRP
The Portland Sex Worker Resource Project aims to support people in the sex trades by providing harm reduction supplies and supports specific to the work. They also provide resources and referrals by connecting participants to organizational support through community partners. Using an equity framework, they operate a mobile outreach unit in areas of the Portland metro area in which they can reach the most marginalized workers.
EMAIL US!
If you are a stripper needing some help, we are happy to connect with you!
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION
The Actors' Equity Association, commonly called Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance.
STRIPPERS UNITED
Strippers United is a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization that works to educate strippers on their workplace rights, organize clubs, engage in political action, and provide mutual aid to our community.
NORTHWEST WORKERS’ JUSTICE PROJECT
The Northwest Workers’ Justice Project exists to support the efforts of low-wage, immigrant and contingent workers to protect their workplace dignity and to improve wages and working conditions.
HAYMARKET POLE COLLECTIVE
Haymarket Pole Collective (HMPC) is an organization of sex workers for sex workers.