The Chippendales Dancers are seeking to unionize with Actors Equity Association, which has been expanding the unions representation of 51,000 professional actors and stage managers on Broadway and in live theater.

The dancers are part of the all-male revue known for their strip teases, based out of the Rio hotel and casino in Las Vegas. They also regularly tour and perform domestically and internationally. The dancers chose to unionize in an effort to gain higher wages and benefits.

We love Chippendales and value being a part of this incredible institution, said the dancers leading this unionization effort. But we also believe our situation here isnt keeping up with industry standards. In order to continue providing the world-class entertainment that has always been the Chippendales calling card, we need to have a world-class workplace and that means fair pay, decent benefits, safety and accountability. Equity has asked the employer for voluntary recognition and has also filed with the National Labor Relations Board for an election. If voluntary recognition is granted, the union will withdraw the NLRB petition.

This follows Actors Equity unionization of two strip clubs, Magic Tavern in Portland, and Star Garden in Los Angeles. Beyond representing actors in theater, Equity has won representation for the characters and parade departments at Disneyland, planetarium lecturers in Los Angeles and Drunk Shakespeare companies.Brooke Shields took over leadership of the union as president in late May.

The Chippendales dancers first connected with Equity through a form on the unions website.

The entire Las Vegas Equity community is thrilled to welcome the Chippendales into our ranks, said local Equity leader Marci Skolnick. The recent victory by the Culinary Workers Union, who successfully unionized the hospitality workers up and down the entire strip, proves that Las Vegas is, and always has been, a union town. Actors Equity Association is here to help the Chippendales get union contracts, complete with union benefits, that will enable them to make a real living doing what they do best.