A Mississippi jury has awarded five African-American exotic dancers $3.3 million after they accused their employer, Danny’s Downtown Cabaret, of racial discrimination.
According to the lawsuit, brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the women accused the establishment of using racial epithets, limiting their hours and income, and charging them a $25 late fee. White employees reportedly had more flexible schedules and were not required to pay late or no-show fees, The Grio reports.
Black employees were also forced to work at sister club Black Diamonds, where the pay and conditions were far worse. Those who refused were fined and sent home, and not allowed to work at Danny’s.
The discrimination has been going on for at least eight years, according to a press release from the EEOC.
After a weeklong trial, a jury awarded the ladies $3.3 million in
back pay and past and future suffering, the Associated Press reports.
