[Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader's] Suit: Ben-Gals paid less than minimum wage

[alp227]

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

A cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bengals has sued the football franchise accusing the team of violating federal wage laws.

Alexa Brenneman, in a class action lawsuit filed in Cincinnati and aimed at covering all Ben-Gals, said the cheer squad members put in more than 300 hours of time attending mandatory practices and charity events and performing required volunteer work but are paid a flat rate of $90 a game for cheering at 10 games during the 2013 season.

The suit says Brenneman was paid $2.85 an hour when the Ohio minimum wage in 2013 was $7.85 an hour.

The complaint seeks a judge’s order to stop the Bengals from violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, unpaid wages for cheerleaders, attorney fees and court costs.

Read more: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20140213/NEWS/302130086/

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Two Oakland Raiders cheerleaders sued their team for wage violations.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Bengazi !!

[No Vested Interest]

2. As a native Cincinnatian, I would be happy to see the Bengal ownership run

run out of town and the Paul Brown Stadium turned into a park for all in Hamilton County to rest and rejuvenate themselves.

The Brown family pulled a fast one on the citizens of Hamilton County, ably assisted by a Republican County commissioner who wrote the contract that guaranteed a profit for the team no matter what.
Of course, the team threatened to move the franchise if the contract were not approved.

I hope the young woman wins, though it will likely be the taxpayers of Hamilton county who will wind up paying all that is due her.

[Javaman]

3. I wonder what the players stance on this is? considering they belong to a union. nt

[groundloop]

4. I always assumed NFL cheerleaders were much much better paid (it's not like the NFL is broke)

$90 per game is a joke. As much money as NFL teams rake in while playing in their fancy stadiums (which of course were largely paid for by taxpayers) they sure the hell can afford to pay cheerleaders much better.

[SunSeeker]

5. They should also sue over being called "Ben-gals." nt

[OnlinePoker]

6. Just an update to this story and the one about the Raider's cheerleaders

This is from Time magazine:

Update: In March, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it closed its investigation of the Oakland Raiders, and concluded that the Raiders are exempt from paying its cheerleaders minimum wage, since they are considered “seasonal amusement,” which is any establishment that runs for less than seven months a year. The case will now go to private arbitration.

http://time.com/#44069/cheerleaders-rebel-over-low-wages/

"Seasonal amusement" so they get out of it. What's to stop any business that is seasonal from claiming this as a way to avoid paying people a living wage (I'm thinking agriculture, forestry, fishing, etc.)?