Strippers file lawsuit against ND club for wages

FARGO, N.D. — Three strippers who worked hundreds of hours at a Fargo club say they're owed more than $166,000 in wages, compensation and so-called house fees they paid for each shift.

A federal lawsuit against Ferny Properties LLC was filed earlier this week by Heidi Current of Fargo; Tara Hester of Minneapolis; and La'Krystal Jackson of Eden Prairie, Minn.

Ferny Properties owns The Northern, which bills itself online as Fargo's only gentlemen's club. The women worked at the club for various stretches between 2008 and 2011, the lawsuit said.

A spokesman for Ferny Properties declined to comment.

The lawsuit said the company violated federal law by failing to pay the dancers minimum wage and overtime pay, charging house fees and fines, and taking a portion of profits for dances in the VIP room. The Northern failed to keep a record of the hours they worked, also a violation of labor law, the women said.

The women said any stripper who arrived late for her shift or left early was required to pay a fine of $100. The club also required dancers to pay $55 for each shift, which was distributed to other employees, including bouncers, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit said a single dance in the VIP room when the plaintiffs worked there cost $25, of which $5 went to the club and $20 to the dancer. The set fee for 15 minutes in the VIP room was $125, with $25 going to the club and $100 to the performers.

Current said she worked about 3,840 regular hours and 1,311 overtime hours. She's seeking $81,554 in wages and $22,500 in house fees. Jackson said she worked 1,900 regular hours and 342 overtime hours. She's seeking $33,616 in wages and $14,130 in house fees. Hester said she worked 720 regular hours and 144 overtime hours. She's seeking $12,260 in wages and $2,600 in house fees.

"The Northern was advised by one or more plaintiffs and by other individuals that dancers should be treated as employees and be paid minimum wage and overtime, but The Northern rejected this advice," the lawsuit reads.

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