GMB Scotland Calling Notice: #Askthe700 Public Awareness Campaign
GMB Scotland Calling Notice: #Askthe700 Public Awareness Campaign
Where: George Square, Glasgow
When: 13.00 – 15.00 hours
‘Listen To The Workers’ Voice’ – Lap Dancers Launch Public Awareness Campaign Over Future Of Venues As GMB Signs Second Recognition Agreement
GMB Scotland members working in the adult entertainment industry will be campaigning in George Square tomorrow (Saturday 29 June), urging people to ‘listen to the workers’ voice’ over the future licensing regulations affecting the Glasgow’s lap dancing venues.
Workers will seek to increase public awareness of Glasgow City Council’s live consultation process and the dangers to livelihoods and industry standards that an outright ban of lap dancing venues in Glasgow would create.
Meanwhile, GMB has signed a second trade union recognition agreement with lap dancing venue Diamond Dolls which ensures staff can bargain collectively over the terms and conditions of employment - another milestone in GMB’s organising campaign across lap dancing venues and the wider adult entertainment sector.
GMB members will be leafleting the public from 1PM. The GCC consultation on the future policy development of Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEV) in Glasgow runs until Monday 26 August.
GMB Scotland Regional Organiser Rhea Wolfson said: “There would be outrage if the workers’ voice was ignored from a consultation in any other sector if the economy so why should our members in Glasgow’s lap dancing venues be any different?
“To this point, the council and advocates of a ban don’t want to hear the views of the very people who choose to work in the venues and whose livelihoods will be devastated by the consultation, and that’s fundamentally wrong.
“We strongly believe that regulatory reform should be used to improve standards for workers and venues; that’s why GMB is organising and growing through formal trade union recognition agreements in Glasgow’s venues. It’s the right thing to do.
“So before the people of Glasgow reach their conclusions on the future of the city’s lap dancing venues, we need to tackle misconceptions and remove the intrigue. That’s why tomorrow our members will be urging the public: ‘Listen to the workers’ voice. Ask the 700 ’.”
ENDS
Contact: GMB Scotland Organiser Rhea Wolfson on 07850 575023 or Peter Welsh, GMB Scotland Communications, on 07976 447077.
Notes to Editors:
An estimated 700 people work in lap dancing venues across Scotland. Find out more about the #Askthe700 campaign by visiting: https://www.askthe700.org/
