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In this episode, representatives Margot and Sabeen from Fired Up Stilettos discuss their fight for sex workers' rights in New Zealand. They share the genesis of the movement, which began with collective action against exploitative practices at a Wellington strip club, leading to the firing of 19 dancers. The movement has since evolved into a broader campaign for better legislation and rights enforcement. They discuss the challenges sex workers face, including unfair fines, contract changes without notice, and broader industry-specific issues. The conversation also touches on their media strategies, protests, and outreach work to build solidarity among sex workers and gain political support. Additionally, they highlight a recent case involving a top government official, Michael Forbes, to underscore systemic issues in protecting sex workers’ rights. LINKS Fired Up Stiletto Website https://firedupstilettos.com/ YAS Store Bees Knees Knee Pads Affiliate Link - 10% off https://www.beeskneeskneepads.com/collections/best-pole-knee-pads?sca_ref=7060136.lpCV4SclDt Donate to YAS Work https://yaswork.org/donate/ 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:31 The Birth of Fired Up Stilettos 00:58 Initial Challenges and Collective Action 02:28 Media Strategy and Union Formation 03:42 Union Busting and Worker Solidarity 06:38 Legislative Efforts and Parliamentary Speeches 08:31 Independent Contractor vs. Employee Debate 17:11 Exploitation in the Strip Club Industry 18:37 Club Practices and Worker Rights 23:22 The State of Strip Clubs in New Zealand 23:57 Building Solidarity Among Strippers and Sex Workers 25:06 Fighting for Rights and Legal Support 25:55 Challenges and Collective Power 27:21 Political Recognition and Next Steps 29:49 Outreach and Community Involvement 32:07 Addressing Exploitation and Financial Support 34:15 Michael Forbes Scandal 38:15 The Need for Legislative Change 42:45 Supporting the Movement and Final Thoughts