Resources

This page of resources is to help you figure out whether you are being treated unfairly, and then help you figure out what to do about it!

The Union Stripper Resource

A dressing room guide to unionism in the strip club! This booklet was written to provide information and solidarity to every worker in the adult entertainment industry, focused on the rights and experiences of strippers working in clubs. Email us if you want some copies for your club! Full PDF available online. (this was written in September 2023 and some information might be out of date)

Your Rights As a Contractor

Strippers are usually hired as independent contractors. In fact we don’t know of any clubs where they are employees (if your club hires you as an employee let us know!)
However, many clubs demand we work certain shifts, provide doctors notes for absences and will try to dictate how we do our jobs and whether we can work for anyone else.
Employment NZ has an easy guide on Contractor vs Employee relationships, how to tell the difference and how to raise a dispute if you feel you’ve been unfairly treated.

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Next Steps

If you feel your club is overstepping the bounds between contractor and employee or are in breach of your contractor agreement below are some steps you can take.

The first step in addressing issues in your workplace is to keep a record of them, we advise is you are having trouble with your club to keep all communications written and bring up issues via text message or email as it is easier to keep record of and mistreatment when you can screenshot it. A paper trail of issues being brought up and dismissed will help you greatly if you decide to go to mediation or even court.
We are happy to provide help and advice on how to approach you club to make changes but bear in mind most clubs don’t want to change.

Employment NZ

If you have a dispute with your club and can’t reach an agreement the first step is mediation via Employment NZ. Generally they prefer that issues have been brought up already with the club however if you are not comfortable bringing these issues up due to bullying, discrimination or harassment you can go straight to mediation. Mediation however is voluntary and in our experience many clubs will not come to the table in which case you can submit your complaint to the Employment Relations Authority.
For more information on this process we recommend talking to Community Law

WorkSafe

Historically WorkSafe have not always been particularly helpful towards sex workers, unfortunately our issues are not often prioritized due to funding and many other factors however the squeaky wheel gets the grease and the more reports they get about a particular workplace the more likely they are to step in.
Making a WorkSafe report is really easy. There are two forms on their website, one for physical safety risks and one for mentally unhealthy workplaces. You have the option to report anonymously or using your name. Anonymous submissions will mean that WorkSafe will not able to contact you for follow up.
This year FUS consulted on the updated Keeping healthy and safe in the New Zealand sex industry | WorkSafe document, broadening the scope to include the experience of strippers. These are best practice guidelines to help workers and WorkSafe identify workplace risks and make reports.

Commerce Commission

It is the Commerce Commissions job to uphold consumer laws in NZ and keep businesses in check.
Making a Commerce Commission report is a bit more in depth but is another option if you are seeking justice when given an unfair contract.
As a contractor you are considered a small business and have rights under the law. You can read more about these rights on the Commerce Commission website here.
If you feel your contract is in breach of these rights you can make a report below.

Support

These Organizations may be able to provide help and advice and support you in standing up for your rights

NZPC

NZPC | Aotearoa New Zealand Sex Workers’ Collective is an NZ wide organization run by sex workers for sex workers. They can provide advice, information, counseling and in some cities sexual health services.

Community Law

Community Law is a nation wide organization providing free legal advice to vulnerable communities on everything from employment disputes, fines and debt, tenancy and housing issues, family and custody disputes and human rights issues