Pro Cheerleaders Would Make At Least Minimum Wage Under New California Bill

[Auggie]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — They boost their teams from the sidelines and promote them by appearing in calendars and at fan events, but some sports cheerleaders say they are still not considered team employees and are paid what amounts to less than minimum wage.

California legislation believed to be the first of its kind in the nation is set to change that.

The bill approved by the state Senate on Monday and sent to the governor for his signature would require that cheerleaders be paid at least minimum wage and overtime and sick leave if they work for professional sports teams based in California.

"Everyone who works hard to provide a great game-day experience deserves the same basic level of dignity and respect on the job, starting with simply being paid for their work," said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, who authored California's legislation.

FULL STORY: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/01/cheerleaders-minimum-wage_n_7707928.html

This is a no-brainer.

[joeybee12]

1. When you think about how much money the teams make...

The cheerleaders should be compensated way more than simply minium wage and a thousand times more than waht they're currently getting.

[Auggie]

2. Ya know ...

how about these teams end their programs and instead donate the money they'd otherwise pay in salary, training and outfittiing to local youth groups?

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. I know the law maker who authored this

Among much legislation this term. She comes from labor. While a "no brainier" the discussions in committee were amusing. You can live stream them.