Is it legal to have massage therapist working if their not getting paid?

[sword]

I work as a massage therapist and I'm wondering if its legal to have me there hanging out in between massages and not pay me atleast minimum wage if I'm there. I normally get paid about $18 per hour per massage plus tips, but sometimes I'll come into work and only have 1 or 2 massages and my shift is for a 6 hour shift or something and they'll just keep me there incase I get another massage, but they wont pay me for the down time, they just split whatever I make in massages over that 6 hour period. It's obviously partially legal which is why they get away with doing it, but I'm feeling cheated. I have come in a couple times and not had one massage and have been forced to sit there regardless.I feel like they should atleast pay be minimum wage if they have me there or send me home and put me oncall, it just dosn't feel right that I'd have to sit there for 6 hours and not get paid. Does anyone else have any thoughts or help on this question? I really want to find the legalities of this. Thanks!
I feel like they work us like dogs a little..they dont give us breaks between appointments and make us sit here...a normal massage is $60 an hour, and they get $40 and we get $20..and giving a massage is hard work..I feel like I get paid like a receptionist or something when that money is spread out throughout the time and I went to school for this, this is hard work. I think its rediculous.

 

[HAGAR!!!]

This depends on your contract. They are treating you like a sale-person and you get commission.

I agree with you and it is unfortunate. All I can is suggest is you opening your own shop if you want to get anywhere in that particular business. What they are doing is perfectly normal and I would be willing to bet that they would like you to drum up business for the company.