Sex Workers at Nevada Brothel Aim to Unionize

Sheri's Ranch employees seek to become the nation's first unionized sex workers

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Sex workers at Sheri's Ranch, one of Nevada's legal brothels, have filed a petition to unionize with the National Labor Relations Board. The workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America, say they want the same rights and protections as other workers, including a safe and respectful workplace. The unionization effort was spurred by a new independent contractor deal that would give the brothel power to use the workers' likenesses without permission.

Why it matters

Prostitution is legal in only a handful of places globally, and sex workers have historically faced stigma and a lack of labor protections. This effort by the Sheri's Ranch employees to unionize could set a precedent for sex workers' rights and organizing in the United States and beyond.

The details

The majority of Sheri's Ranch's 74 sex workers have submitted a petition to unionize under the name United Brothel Workers. They argue that they are treated as independent contractors, with set schedules, an inability to work from home, and a requirement to charge a minimum of $1,000 per hour, while the brothel takes 50% of their earnings. The workers say they want basic worker protections and rights, such as the ability to control the use of their own likenesses.

  • The workers submitted their unionization petition to the National Labor Relations Board last week.
  • In December, the brothel implemented a new independent contractor deal that sparked the unionization drive.

The players

Jupiter Jetson

A sex worker at Sheri's Ranch who goes by the stage name "Jupiter Jetson" and is leading the unionization effort.

Marc Ellis

The state president of the Nevada Communications Workers of America, which is representing the sex workers in their unionization drive.

Jeremy Lemur

The marketing and communications director for Sheri's Ranch, who says the brothel respects the workers' right to express their views on workplace structure.

Barb Brents

An expert on Nevada's sex industry who says the workers' effort to unionize is "pretty amazing and heartening" given the stigma surrounding sex work.

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What they’re saying

“We want the same things that any other worker wants. We want a safe and respectful workplace.”

— Jupiter Jetson, Sex worker at Sheri's Ranch (Newser)

“All workers are guaranteed certain human decencies and dignities, and the right to organize is one of those.”

— Marc Ellis, State president of the Nevada Communications Workers of America (Newser)

“Sheri's Ranch respects the right of workers to 'express their views on workplace structure,' with the focus being on providing a 'safe, lawful, and professionally managed environment'.”

— Jeremy Lemur, Marketing and communications director, Sheri's Ranch (Newser)

“It's pretty amazing and heartening to see so many sex workers standing up for their rights.”

— Barb Brents, Expert on Nevada's sex industry (Newser)

What’s next

The unionization process could take weeks, but Sheri's Ranch could choose to recognize the CWA as the sex workers' representatives and begin negotiating a new contract ASAP, according to union lawyers.

The takeaway

This effort by the Sheri's Ranch sex workers to unionize represents a significant step in the fight for labor rights and protections in the highly stigmatized sex work industry. If successful, it could set a precedent for sex workers' organizing efforts in the United States and beyond.