Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

[northernbillfan]

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-10/nfl-cheerleaders-battle-teams-for-minimum-wage

Caitlin Ferrari grew up rooting for the Buffalo Bills. At the dance studio in her hometown of Rochester, N.Y., her instructor was a former Bills cheerleader—a Jill, as the NFL team’s dancers call themselves—and at the end of her freshman year at Niagara University in 2009, Ferrari decided to try out herself. “It just kind of popped into my head,” she says now. “Honestly, I didn’t really think I was even going to make the squad.” After two weeks of auditions and a final interview, she did. Like the rest of the Jills, she was then presented with a contract stating that she wouldn’t be paid—not for games, not for twice-a-week practices, not for mandatory off-field appearances. There would be a chance, she was told, to make $20 an hour at some charity events. Ferrari didn’t think twice.

[black N yellow]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

I feel like a woman who is concerned about her dignity and being properly compensated for a job (that's half high-schoolish and half exotic dancer) wouldn't be willing to to be a cheerleader to begin with. What about being a cheerleader screams "legit fair paying job!" anyway?

[Guest]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

It is ridiculous that a multi-billion dollar organization will not pay cheerleaders on its sidelines at least minimum wage.

[ServoBillieves]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

I'm trying to make sense of this... if the one sued for being paid $125 per game... let's just say they worked an 8 hour day. That's $15.62/hour. That's not minimum wage... that's double minimum wage, and I'm near positive that they don't work 8 hour shifts for a 4 hour game.

It's pretty simple... if they don't like the wage, then they don't need to do it, there's plenty of others who would. I couldn't care less that we're Jill-less this season, the fans came for what's being played on the field. Sorry if in lieu of Ray's debacle I may come off as "harsh" or whatever people who don't share my opinion would like to say.

[Buffalogic]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

NFL hates women.

[northernbillfan]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

Practice, warm ups etc are non paying. They often at least 20-30 hours a week and make the $125. However the Jills don't even gert paid for game day.

I'm trying to make sense of this... if the one sued for being paid $125 per game... let's just say they worked an 8 hour day. That's $15.62/hour. That's not minimum wage... that's double minimum wage, and I'm near positive that they don't work 8 hour shifts for a 4 hour game.

It's pretty simple... if they don't like the wage, then they don't need to do it, there's plenty of others who would. I couldn't care less that we're Jill-less this season, the fans came for what's being played on the field. Sorry if in lieu of Ray's debacle I may come off as "harsh" or whatever people who don't share my opinion would like to say.

[northernbillfan]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

Did you even read the article. Sheesh

I feel like a woman who is concerned about her dignity and being properly compensated for a job (that's half high-schoolish and half exotic dancer) wouldn't be willing to to be a cheerleader to begin with. What about being a cheerleader screams "legit fair paying job!" anyway?

[Homegrown]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

Philster is pissed ...

[ServoBillieves]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

Practice, warm ups etc are non paying. They often at least 20-30 hours a week and make the $125. However the Jills don't even gert paid for game day.

Ah...

[feldspar]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

The NFL (or the Buffalo Bills) needs to pay these women.

Why wouldn't they?

[Mercy]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

They're not employed by the Buffalo Bills. They need to sue their employer.

[Historian]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

They have.

And your first premise is for a court to decide.

Precedent favors the Planitiffs.

[Mercy]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

They have.

link?

And your first premise is for a court to decide.

No, it's pretty cut and dried

[YardRat]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

I hope the Pegs bring them back into the fold. If you want something done right, do it yourself.

[northernbillfan]

Re: Buffalo Jill fights for fair wage

If they need a union leader I'm their guy...