\u2014 Harry North (@hsnorth_) May 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The protest aims to denounce what organizers describe as abusive working conditions in the industry and push for the full decriminalization of sex work, labour protections and safer workplaces, according to Melina May, who said she was an independent escort and a member of CATS.<\/p>\n The decision to strike over the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, which also coincides this year with a galvanizing playoff run by the Montreal Canadiens, was taken to maximize attention and economic pressure on clubs, May said. Last year, a record 352,000 people attended the race weekend.<\/p>\n The strike action does not include all sex workers in the city, but May said they hope it will encourage many to partake and \u201churt the pockets of the bosses.\u201d<\/p>\n In Montreal, many sex workers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees. Workers are often paid primarily through tips and lap dances and can be required to pay clubs \u201cbar fees\u201d to perform.<\/p>\n One Montreal stripper, who is a member of CATS, told The Gazette last week dancers can earn as little as $40 to $100 a night in guaranteed pay, with some workers occasionally paying more in club fees than they earn in tips and dances.<\/p>\n \u201cSince we\u2019re not salaried employees, we don\u2019t have access to the protections that other workers usually have,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n In a statement announcing the strike, organizers demanded the abolition of bar fees, employee status for sex workers and \u201csafe working conditions like in any other jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n Organizers say workers from multiple sectors of the sex industry are expected to participate, though it remains unclear how many clubs or businesses could be affected by the strike.<\/p>\n With files from The Gazette\u2019s Jack Wilson\u00a0<\/p>\n Do you have a story tip? Write to me at hnorth@postmedia.com<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0524-city-sex-workers-9986_303327310.jpg\")
A supporter of sex workers attends a strike protest downtown during the F1 weekend in Montreal. Evan Buhler \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n![\"Old-fashioned](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Montreal-Gazette-Black_ICON.png\"){kind=icon}
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