Two dancers at an Alabama strip club are suing their former employer over several alleged violations that include a “socialist” tip sharing system.
The previous dancers at Sammy’s Strip Club in Birmingham said the club owners allegedly “forced a socialist financial system” by requiring them to share their suggestions among the many club’s staff as a part of an “illegal tipping pool.”
“[Club owners] forced a socialist financial system on the dancers mandating they subsidize their co-workers,” the lawsuit filed within the Northern District of Alabama on Sunday said.
The 2 dancers, who weren’t identified within the lawsuit, said they were classified as independent contractors and denied minimum wage and extra time.
“During their time being employed by defendants, plaintiffs were denied minimum wage payments and denied extra time as a part of defendants’ scheme to categorise plaintiffs and other dancers/entertainers as ‘independent contractors,’” the lawsuit stated.
The 2 dancers, who weren’t identified within the lawsuit, said they were classified as independent contractors and denied minimum wage and extra time. BlueSkyImages – stock.adobe.com
Citing the Department of Labor, the suit alleges that this “scheme” is present in a growing variety of U.S. workplaces “as a method to chop costs and avoid compliance with labor laws.”
The dancers also said the club owners would force them to pay a kickback, called a “house fee,” to work, and the club would increase this fee later within the night, based on the lawsuit.
“Defendants would also force plaintiff to pay kickbacks to the club simply to work. These kickbacks were called ‘house fees.’ With a view to further control plaintiffs, the club would increase the quantity of kickbacks later into the evening,” the lawsuit said.
The previous dancers at Sammy’s Gentleman Club in Birmingham are searching for $100,000.
Sammy’s Gentleman Club in Birmingham, Alabama, is being sued for $100,000. Google Maps
The dancer also alleged that the club required them to pay kickbacks to be able to perform on stage, based on the federal lawsuit. Seventyfour – stock.adobe.com
Ten other unnamed Sammy’s employees are also listed as defendants.
Fox News has reached out to Sammy’s Gentlemen Club for comment.