A few weeks ago, a Raiderette by the name of Lacy T. filed a lawsuit against the Raiders for what she viewed as wage violations. Now a second Raiderette has filed a similar suit against the Raiders, claiming the team is in "flagrant violation" of wage laws, according to a report by Lisa Fernandez of NBC Bay Area. This time the Raiderette is a co-captain.
The newest plaintiff is Sarah G. who has worked as a Raiderette since 2010. She will also be represented by the same attorney - Sharon Vinick - as Lacy T. Her 4 years as a Raiderette as well as her co-captain status add a lot of weight to the case. She has added complaints from her personal experiences as well.
Among those complaints, according to the report, are some fines Sarah G. incurred which were laid out in the original suit including being fined $10 for not turning in a written biography, and being docked pay for missing rehearsal.
Lacy T. had spoken of non-reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses. Sarah G. claims she has spent upwards of $4500 of her own money on Raiderette related expenses -- many of which are mandatory per their contract.
Raiderettes are paid $1250 (before fines) for ten games which amounts to $125 per game. In addition they must attend 10 unpaid events per year as well as three rehearsals per week. The suit claims this is in violation of labor laws because it works out to less than minimum wage. In addition, if the figure Sarah G. gave as to what she spent is accurate, along with her fines, she basically made no money at all over four years with the squad.
Here are the details of the latest report by Fernandez:
US Department of Labor spokesman Jose Carnevali told NBC Bay Area on Tuesday there is an "open investigation" into the cheerleaders' claims.
The amended complaint was filed Tuesday in Alameda County Superior Court by attorney Sharon Vinick, who is now representing both women. Both cheerleaders are seeking injunctive and declaratory relief, compensation for all unpaid work and other damages.
Vinick said, by her estimates, the women who cheered for the Raiders last season could be entitled to somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000 each in wages and penalties.
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