Published on: February 15, 2026, 10:12 AM.
Updated on: February 15, 2026, 10:12 AM.
- Sex workers at a Nevada brothel are pushing for union representation
- Nevada is the sole state where prostitution is permitted in specific counties
- Prostitution remains illegal in Las Vegas
The recently established United Brothel Workers is advocating for a collective bargaining agreement at Sheri’s Ranch, one of the nation’s oldest operating brothels in Nevada.
Nevada stands out as the only state in the US permitting individuals to legally pay for sexual services.
Brothels may operate in 10 of Nevada’s rural counties, excluding Clark County, where Las Vegas is located. Currently, there are 19 legal brothels, with Sheri’s Ranch being one of the closest to the Las Vegas Strip, situated about an hour’s drive west.
Many sex workers at Sheri’s Ranch are reportedly initiating the unionization process to gain protections similar to those afforded to casino workers in Nevada. The United Brothel Workers aims to advocate for enhanced safety, improved conditions, and greater control over wages.
Brothel Negotiations
The United Brothel Workers is represented by the Communications Workers of America Local 9413.
The union has informed the National Labor Relations Board that a significant majority of the 74 contracted courtesans at Sheri’s Ranch support the organization. Brothel management claims the introduction of “coercive contract terms” that assert ownership over their intellectual property, including names, likenesses, and other creative works.
The United Brothel Workers alleges that Sheri’s Ranch dismissed two highly-rated workers, Jupiter Jetson and Paloma Karr, following their request for union recognition.
“Sex work is legitimate work, and sex workers deserve genuine protection from corporate exploitation. Brothels originated as collectives, and we are making a historic stride in reclaiming that collective power on our own terms,” Jetson stated.
A spokesperson for Sheri’s Ranch informed the Associated Press that the brothel facilitates a “safe, lawful, and professionally managed environment.” The establishment acknowledges the workers’ right to express their opinions about workplace dynamics.
Documents obtained by the AP reveal that one independent contractor was issued a contract allowing the brothel an “irrevocable, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive license” to the contractor’s name and image.
The union’s appeal to the NLRB seeks to compel Sheri’s Ranch to hold a union vote. If a majority is achieved, the brothel would be obligated to negotiate in good faith with the union for a collective bargaining contract.
The NLRB upholds the National Labor Relations Act, safeguarding the rights of private-sector employees.
The Culinary Union Local 226, representing around 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, is Nevada’s largest union in the hospitality and gaming sector.
Prostitution in Las Vegas
Within Las Vegas and all of Clark County, both prostitution and brothels are prohibited. Yet, this doesn’t imply that commercial sex is not prevalent.
In contrast to the highly regulated brothels, where sex workers undergo regular STD testing and are mandated to use condoms, the underground sex industry poses significantly higher risks. The U.S. Justice Department has flagged Las Vegas as a top hub for human trafficking due to the commercial sex activities in Southern Nevada.
State law mandates that legal brothel workers must submit monthly blood tests to confirm they are free from HIV and syphilis. Additionally, they undergo weekly screenings for various sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea and chlamydia.