Judge Approves Deal Over Pay For 28,000 Exotic Dancers

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A judge in Detroit has approved a $6.5 million settlement in a wage dispute involving 28,000 exotic dancers across the U.S.

The class-action lawsuit centered on whether women who dance nude or topless for the popular Deja Vu chain of clubs should be treated as employees or private contractors.

In the suit, the dancers say they are forced to give up part of their wages and share their tips — but attorneys argued if you're an independent contractor, that's against the law.

U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Murphy III approved the settlement Monday, saying it will bring "long-term structural changes" to the relationship between dancers and the clubs.

The Detroit Free Press reports some dancers could receive less than $200. Separately, dancers who wish to work as independent contractors will share in a $4.5 million pool of credits. The credits will offset the fees charged by clubs to perform.

The judge says only a handful of dancers objected to the settlement.

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