The IEAU has submitted an Amicus Brief to the California Supreme Court in support of Exotic Dancers. Posted below are the Statment of Interest (why we were both compelled and entitled to submit this breif) and then the brief itself.

 The International Entertainment Adult Union ("IEAU") represents and advocates for workers in entertainment-related industries where one must be 18 or older to participate. This includes exotic dancers.  IEAU's advocacy on behalf of exotic dancers includes preventing their misclassification as "independent contractors" because our experience shows that their work is largely controlled by club owners, and they are, in reality, employees.  Misclassification of exotic dancers (and other adult entertainers) denies them basic employment protections including those provided by wage and hour and health and safety laws and regulations.  This denial allows the employers to unfairly shift their business costs to their employees and society as a whole while giving them an unfair competitive advantage over those business that comply with the law.  
>    IEAU also works to fight stereotypes that adult performers are somehow morally inferior to others, which lead to a social stigma that impacts the personal lives of adult entertainers, including exotic dancers, and makes it more likely such workers are harassed and bullied and stalked long after their dancing days are over.  IEAU believes such harmful stereotypes has facilitated approval of the insulting settlement in this case, which is based in part on the idea that the dancers in this class are "transient," which is closely associated with the notion that they are unreliable. IEAU strongly opposes settlement on these terms, and for the reasons set forth in this brief.

Amicus Curiae FINAL.pdf