A number of strip club workers in Montreal are reportedly planning to strike during the upcoming Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix weekend, in an attempt to put pressure on venues regarding working conditions and employee protections.
According to a statement published by the Committee for Autonomous Sex Work, organisers believe that the Grand Prix weekend is the most effective time for industrial action, given the significant increase in business that Formula 1 visitors generate.
“We believe that the Grand Prix is the best time for a strike,” the organisation said in a public statement.
Strip clubs hit during peak period
The group added that the Canadian Grand Prix period is traditionally the busiest and most profitable time of the year for Montreal’s strip clubs.
“This is our chance to jeopardise those earnings and hurt them where it hurts most,” the statement continued.
Workers claim that clubs make substantial profits during the Formula 1 weekend.
The planned action comes amid growing complaints from dancers about pay structures and working conditions in Montreal clubs.
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Workers rights not adhered to by clubs
One dancer told the Montreal Gazette that many of their colleagues are not officially employed by the clubs and therefore do not receive standard employee protections or guaranteed wages.
“Since we are not permanent employees, we don’t have access to the protections that other workers normally enjoy,” the dancer explained.
Reports suggest that many performers rely almost entirely on customer tips for income. In some cases, dancers are reportedly also required to pay fees to the venues in order to perform during shifts.
According to workers involved in the campaign, these charges can be particularly expensive during the Formula 1 weekend due to increased demand and tourism linked to the Grand Prix.
“Every year, each of us goes home in the red,” one anonymous dancer reportedly said.
Demands include sick pay and parental leave
The Committee for Autonomous Sex Work says the strike aims to secure protections and benefits commonly associated with traditional employment.
The organisation has listed demands including sick pay, parental leave, compensation following workplace injuries, paid leave and a guaranteed living wage.
Campaigners also argue that, due to their employment status, workers currently have little power to challenge conditions imposed by club management.
The issue has generated local attention in Montreal as the city prepares for one of its busiest weekends of the year. The Canadian Grand Prix regularly attracts tens of thousands of visitors, and hospitality and nightlife businesses typically experience a significant increase in revenue during this period.
This popular event is expected to draw large crowds across Montreal throughout the weekend.
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Clara Marlowe is a Formula 1 writer at TJ13 with over 15 years of experience in motorsport journalism, having contributed features to established sports magazines such as Evo, MCN, Wisden Cricket Monthly and other digital outlets.
Clara specialises in human-interest storytelling, focusing on the individuals behind the sport, including drivers, engineers, and team personnel whose roles are often overlooked in mainstream coverage.
At TJ13, Clara contributes long-form features and narrative-driven pieces that explore the personal and professional journeys within Formula 1. This includes coverage of career-defining moments, internal team dynamics, and the human impact of high-pressure competition.
Clara’s work brings depth and perspective to the sport, complementing news and analysis with stories that highlight the people behind the machinery.
Clara has a particular interest in how personal narratives intersect with performance, and how individual experiences shape outcomes across a Formula 1 season.
