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Sex workers at Nevada brothel seek first-ever unionization
Summary
Workers at Sheri's Ranch in Pahrump filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to form a union represented by the Communications Workers of America; the move followed a December independent contractor agreement that would give the brothel broad rights over workers' likenesses.
Content
Sex workers at Sheri's Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada have filed a petition to form a union with the National Labor Relations Board. Nevada allows licensed brothels in several rural counties, and Sheri's Ranch is one of the state's older establishments located about an hour from Las Vegas. The petition was submitted under the name United Brothel Workers and is represented by the Communications Workers of America. Workers say the effort was prompted by a December contractor agreement that would give the brothel broad control over their likeness and material.
Key facts:
- A majority of the brothel’s 74 workers submitted a petition to the NLRB under the name United Brothel Workers, with representation from the Communications Workers of America.
- The December agreement viewed by the Associated Press reportedly grants the brothel an "irrevocable, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive license" to distribute workers' material and includes a power-of-attorney provision.
- Sheri's Ranch said it respects workers' right to express views on workplace structure and emphasized that it provides a "safe, lawful and professionally managed environment."
- Union attorneys said the brothel could choose to recognize the Communications Workers of America and begin negotiating a contract immediately, though the process could go back and forth for weeks.
Summary:
The filing could make these workers the first in the U.S. to unionize at a licensed brothel and highlights questions about workplace rights and use of likenesses. The National Labor Relations Board will process the petition and the brothel may choose to recognize the union and begin negotiations; timing is undetermined at this time.
