SWU is a branch of sex workers, in the UK, organising with BAFWU for better working conditions and fighting to change the industry from within.
The UK Sex Workers Union fights for ‘Worker’ status giving strippers and sex workers basic worker protections while allowing them to retain the label of self-employment and associated freedoms.
SW works with sex workers across the UK to improve conditions through collective negotiation and individual casework. We organise to establish ‘worker’ status, which will enable those working in clubs to claim basic rights at work, such as annual leave, sick pay, a guaranteed basic wage and the right to organise and be represented by a trade union.
The sex workers unionisation campaign is organised in partnership with x:talk, a sex workers support project and in conjunction with Decrim Now, the campaign for the full decriminalisation of all sex work.
Mina is the SWU branch organiser and her regular roles mainly consist of coordinating tasks within the union and making sure everyone is happy and doing well. She manages the day to day admin and yearly committee elections.
When she’s not working for SWU or stripping, she works as a visual and performance artist in Scotland.
Margot is our stripper rep, their role is to signpost towards and participate in working groups as needed and feed information from workplaces into the committee.
Margot’s experience in the industry, as well as their understanding of the local political climate, supports the wider branch in identifying and combating emerging issues.
Margot has been fundamental to the success of Nil Cap SEV campaigning.
Audreys role centers around direct and central union press enquiries. They write and distribute press releases, and maintain a branch press list of members willing to communicate with press and sex worker friendly media outlets.
Audrey also helps members with how to interact with press and veto journalist requests before passing them onto interested members. They akso maintain a branch press archive as well as manage the social media and campaign materials and linking up with wider SWU comms.
Lara’s role is to assist workers with their workplace issues when they arise.
They have to respond to member inquiries and discuss particulars of workplace issues, either doing so directly or in partnership with a sector rep.
They are key in assembling evidence and assessments, drafting correspondences with workplaces, and referring to relevant additional support services.
When possible, Lara works with the paid BFAWU branch organizer to refer members to legal services and support them as their cases develop. Their role is also to inform the wider membership of casework developments where applicable.
Cat & Grey are the first points of contact for wider membership in full-service work. Their duties include signposting, participating in working groups as needed and feeding information from workplaces into the committee.
They often liaise with membership officers and wider branch committee to identify emerging issues and overlapping areas.
Layla is our stripper rep, their role is to signpost towards and participate in working groups as needed and feed information from workplaces into the committee.
Layla’s experience in the industry, as well as their understanding of the local political climate, supports the wider branch in identifying and combating emerging issues.
Rosa is probably the first person a new union member will speak with. Their role is key in welcoming new members, responding to queries, and maintaining the member database.
Their role is also to share branch comms, opportunities, and upcoming events with members. Identifying members’ training needs and feeding back to the Branch Committee.
Rosa is the first point of contact for wider membership in online work. Her duties include signposting, participating in working groups as needed, and feeding information from workplaces to the committee.
She often liaises with membership officers and wider branch committee to identify emerging issues and overlapping areas.
She leases with government on issues affecting pornography stars, cam models and content creators.
If you’ve seen our Instagram, that’s this one! Amy’s role is also to share branch comms, opportunities, and upcoming events with members. Identifying members’ training needs and feeding them back to the Branch Committee.
Being a member of SWU has been immensely beneficial for me. When I have questions or issues at work, it’s great that I have people I can ask for input or help.
It’s incredible to be part of something that is making a change to the industry. Joining gave me confidence to handle challenges and the support to make the best decisions.
Porn performers and online sex workers are professionals in a legitimate, legal industry. We are entitled to rights and collectively working for this is vital to progress.