DEJA VU LANSING DANCERS 1998 LICENSE
DEJA VU LANSING DANCERS 1998 PROFESSIONAL

'We've heard many stories about clubs taking advantage of dancers and exploiting them,' Young said.īut in backing the settlement, Déjà Vu and Mohney deny the allegations in the suit and admit no wrongdoing.ĭéjà Vu, founded in Michigan but now a national firm with offices in Michigan, California and Nevada, has operated many of its clubs under a model in which the clubs serve no alcohol but dancers disrobe completely. Jesse Young, a Southfield attorney representing the plaintiffs, said many of the dancers may only receive a couple of hundred dollars, but the benefits of the settlement go far beyond the cash settlement and include future wages, unemployment insurance, and the right to unionize if they are deemed club employees. The proposed settlement covers more than 60 clubs around the country, of which 11 are in Michigan, including Déjà Vu Showgirls in Highland Park, Larry Flynt's Hustler in Lincoln Park, and Déjà Vu Showgirls in Lansing. “It was not easy to make money and there were nights that I walked out with less than what I came in with,” Sage said in a letter to the court. Minneapolis-area dancer Stephanie Sage said that with as many as 28,177 dancers sharing in the settlement, the offer is too small. District Judge Stephen Murphy as 'reasonable, fair and adequate,' ahead of a June 7 fairness hearing in Detroit. So far, only one dancer has objected to the proposed settlement, which has received preliminary approval from U.S. Another $1 million will pay attorney fees and penalties.

The dancers can also choose whether to share in a $1-million cash payment pool or instead share in a $4.5-million pool that will credit them for rent and dance fees paid to the clubs.

DEJA VU LANSING DANCERS 1998 LICENSE

Those deemed employees will be paid minimum wage, plus bonuses including commissions of at least 20% on their private dances and drink sales, and receive club support to pay for employment-related expenses such as the purchase and cleaning of costumes and payment of required local license fees.

DEJA VU LANSING DANCERS 1998 PROFESSIONAL

Under the proposed settlement, Déjà Vu will assess all current and future dancers based on a set of agreed criteria - including the dancer's expressed wishes - to determine whether they should be hired or retained as employees or as independent professional entertainers. The case centers on whether the dancers are employees or independent contractors - a classification that affects issues such as whether the clubs must pay them a minimum hourly wage or can instead charge them for doing business inside the clubs.ĭéjà Vu maintains that despite the claims made in the lawsuit, most exotic dancers who are given the opportunity to become club employees find out they prefer being independent contractors, because they make more money that way and have more control over their hours of work. The dancers also face monetary penalties for leaving early or showing up late, the suit alleges.

The suit against Déjà Vu Services, related companies and club principal Harry Mohney alleges the nude and nearly nude dancers are paid no wages but required to pay rent to the clubs, plus 30% or more of their tips. More than 28,000 exotic dancers at Déjà Vu clubs across the country will share in a $6.5-million settlement and enjoy more employment rights under a class-action lawsuit settlement pending in federal court in Detroit.

Watch Video: Nude dancers offered $6.5M to settle suit

Deja vu lansing dancers 1998