Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders win union recognition after pay fight
The Dallas Cowboys chose to recognize the cheerleaders' union. This came after years of fighting for fair pay.
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders won union recognition in a major labor victory. The team chose to recognize the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association as their bargaining representative.
Union recognition allows talks to start on pay and work conditions. The squad has fought for years over low wages despite their fame around the world.
A 2018 lawsuit by cheerleader Erica Wilkins showed she averaged $15,000 during her seasons with Dallas. The Netflix series America's Sweethearts showed recent pay talks.
They led to a 400 percent pay raise, from 15 dollars to 75 dollars per hour, though without health insurance. The cheerleaders are among the world's most well-known dance groups.
- 15 dollars
- Previous hourly rate
- 75 dollars
- New hourly rate
- 1961
- Squad established
- 2018
- Lawsuit year
Why it mattersThis is a major labor victory in professional sports. It shows how workers who were ignored can win bargaining power. Even high-profile organizations cannot keep ignoring them.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect, but the union recognition sets a precedent for workers globally pushing for fair treatment in entertainment and sports roles.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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