Dancers at Los Angeles club become US’s only unionized strippers

Dancers hold signs during a protest outside the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar on 26 March 2022 in North Hollywood, California. After more than a year, the dancers will be the only unionized strippers in the US. Photograph: Francine Orr/AP

After months of late-night picketing in North Hollywood, the dancers of the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar have become the only unionized strippers in the US.

Their victory was finalized with a unanimous vote by 17 dancers in favor of unionization on Thursday morning , and marks the first time that the Actors Equity association, a century-old union for stage actors, singers and dancers, will represent strip club workers, the union said.