BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Two former dancers have filed a lawsuit against Sammy’s Gentlemen’s Club, alleging wage violations and unfair labor practices. The legal complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, accuses the Birmingham-based club of forcing dancers to participate in a mandatory tip-sharing system and misclassifying them as independent contractors.
According to the lawsuit, the club required dancers to share their tips with other staff in what was described as an “illegal tipping pool.” The dancers claim this practice violated labor laws by redistributing their earnings without consent. The plaintiffs also allege that their classification as independent contractors allowed the club to deny them minimum wage and overtime pay, a growing issue cited by the U.S. Department of Labor in similar cases nationwide.
In addition, the lawsuit accuses Sammy’s of imposing “house fees” — payments dancers had to make to perform — which reportedly increased as the night progressed. The plaintiffs described the fees as a form of kickback that further exploited their earnings.
The lawsuit seeks $100,000 in damages and names other unnamed employees at the club who allegedly participated in or benefited from these practices.
Sammy’s Gentlemen’s Club has not issued a public comment on the allegations. The case highlights ongoing disputes over labor rights in industries where workers are often classified as independent contractors, sparking debates over wage equity and labor protections.
The legal proceedings are ongoing.