We, the dancers of Magic Tavern, demand that club management respect our right to a safe, dignified, and healthy work environment free of unlawful retaliation and intimidation. Since Magic Tavern opened on November 24, 2022, dancers have been subjected to dangerous working conditions and a lack of professionalism from the primary owner, Benjamin Donohue, and staff members, including:

• Absence of club security and security cameras 
• Understaffing and underpaying existing staff
• Cost-cutting measures that resulted in the hiring of untrained/inexperienced workers and the merging of various separate staff positions (such as security/DJ/cook)
• Safety concerns such as a gas smell and unmarked, uneven flooring
• Club management failing to document/disclose an incident in which a dancer was drugged. The dancer received treatment at a hospital, results from a test administered later confirmed GHB was found in her system. Staff suggested to the dancer that she had too much to drink and discouraged her from reporting the incident. No footage would be available due to lack of security cameras at the time of the incident.
• Lack of consistency checking IDs for dancers and customers
• Failed to provide a contract or list of established rules/policies to dancers at the time of hiring
• Poor communication around auditions, scheduling, and questions
• Presence of patched biker gang groups allowed despite complaints and previous agreements with dancers regarding policies to not permit such individuals into the club
• Staff making disparaging and insulting remarks regarding dancers to other dancers
• Lack of professionalism around official communication, such as: 
• Pulling dancers aside during scheduled shifts on club floor in front of other customers/dancers/staff to discuss raised issues; 
  
  • Naming an official club group chat for dancers, “Anus Tarts”
  • Knowingly hiring a male DJ who verbally assaulted a Magic Tavern dancer at another club
• Removing dancers from schedule for:
  
  • Asking questions and voicing workplace and safety concerns
  • Liking messages of dancers in official club group chat who asked questions/expressed concerns
• Owner singled out dancers of color for their music choices, making statements such as “it’s racist for [these dancers] to tell the DJ to only play black music for their sets” and that “hip hop is low energy and loses him customers”. The owner accused these dancers of “wasting his time”.
• These dancers were accused of not paying the full 10% tip out and said that he would rewind security cameras to count the number of private dances each dancer sold.
• Unfortunately, much much more..

On March 26th, Magic Tavern began contacting individual dancers via the club’s official Instagram account - @magictavernpdx, as well as through text message, informing them that they were being removed from the schedule due to, “excessive complaining and inappropriate comments”. Some dancers were removed, but not notified by club management, and others quit in solidarity.

In response to dancers communicating their grievances, Magic Tavern retaliated by removing dancers from the schedule and thus denying them of their source of income. We have come together to voice our concerns and share our experiences from working at Magic Tavern.

To that end, we have compiled a list of demands which outlines the conditions under which we would consider returning to work at Magic Tavern, which are:

• Magic Tavern must provide a legal contract detailing club rules/policies, dancer expectations, fees, scheduling etc. and obtain a copy of ID from all independent contractors upon hiring. 
• Magic Tavern must hire trained/certified dedicated security guards for all night shifts who do not multitask and do additional jobs such as; “DJ,” “line cook,” etc., ideally a third-party security firm
• Address current improper working conditions, such as but not limited to:
  • Monitored security system with cameras in all customer-facing areas, including outside
  • The gas smell by the kitchen and main stage
  • Properly installed pole so base does not move or click
  • Fix or mark uneven floor boards
  • Adding a keypad lock to the dressing room or otherwise separating it from customers 
• Clarified policy and standardization around acceptable profanity and content of music, regardless of genre. Said policies should not discriminate against minority-led genres, such as rap or hip hop
• Dancers must be allowed to ask questions about rules and provide feedback to staff about workplace/safety concerns without fear of retaliation. Plan for how feedback will be addressed.
• Increased QTBIPOC hiring, as promised by management
• Greater transparency and communication about scheduling 
• Dedicated days/times for auditions & dedicated booking manager

Sex work is work, and as workers we deserve to be treated with respect – not have our jobs threatened when we ask for the bare minimum: safety and dignity. Magic Tavern touted itself as being a safe space. It promised to address and correct concerns brought by dancers. Magic Tavern has turned its back on us.

Support the striking dancers, please share our stories, sign our petition, donate to our strike fund, and don’t cross the picket line.

Put the pressure on @magictavernpdx to do the right thing.