(Motorsport-Total.com) – A group of exotic dancers has announced a strike timed to coincide with the Canadian Grand Prix at the end of this month. This is aimed at putting pressure on club owners for improved labor rights while millions of eyes are on Montreal during the Formula 1 race weekend.
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The Sex Work Autonomous Committee (SWAC) has called for a strike on May 23, the eve of the Grand Prix and the day of the sprint race. As quoted by Reuters, the committee explained the reasons for the campaign: “We believe the Grand Prix is the best time for a strike,” the statement said.
“The clubs are at their busiest, making it the most lucrative time of the year for our boss. This is our chance to jeopardize that income and hit them where it hurts most. During this time, dancers have to put up with a list of new rules, increased bar fees, overbooking, and generally worse working conditions despite the management’s higher earnings.”
High fees when tourists arrive
The bar fee is under heavy criticism, with the group presenting figures last year to illustrate the financial impact on their members. According to SWAC, a club in Montreal charged $110 (around 95 euros) per night on the five nights of the F1 events.
Since an average of 60 dancers worked per night there, the operation collected about $33,000 (around 28,400 euros) in fees alone. SWAC therefore argues that the current definition of workers grants these bars too much power.
“The reality is that we are clearly caught in a power dynamic between employer and employee, and the bar fee model only benefits the bosses.”
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High pressure, low pay
The group went further and addressed the issue of overbooking and workplace safety: “Indeed, they have every incentive to hire as many dancers as possible every night to maximize their profits. As for our safety, our employers show very little interest and leave us to deal with it on our own.”
Furthermore, the group argues that while their dancers act as independent contractors, they are forced to adhere to certain schedules, dress codes, and other workplace rules without enjoying the benefits and protections of an employed worker.
“Since we are not permanent employees, we do not have access to the protections that other workers normally have,” Celeste Ivy told the Montreal Gazette.
A record number of 352,000 people attended the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, and the race brings one of the biggest tourism boosts the city experiences throughout the year. Seen as leverage, this is as significant as it can be.
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