On April 24, 2023, people walked towards the entrance of Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
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Four unions representing more than 14,000 workers at Disney theme parks and resorts in Southern California announced late Friday that members had voted to authorize a strike, citing alleged unfair labor practices during contract negotiations.
The union announced that thousands of workers at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, the Downtown Disney retail district and Disney-owned hotels have authorized a strike.
If a strike does occur, it would be the first at Disneyland in 40 years.
The union said “99 percent of members voted in favor of authorizing their Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee to call for an unfair labor practice strike.” That doesn’t mean an immediate strike is underway, but the strike is authorized.
“Instead of working with us to enter into a fair contract, Disney has engaged in a variety of labor practices that we believe are unfair, including unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of union members who exercise their right to wear a union badge on the job,” the Disney Workers Organization said. “The Rising Negotiation Committee said in a statement before the vote.
“We know these actions are simply an attempt to prevent us from exercising our rights and keep us from entering into a contract that maintains Disney’s status quo,” the bargaining committee added.
The union button in question depicts a Mickey Mouse-style white glove with a raised fist.
The Walt Disney Co. did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Saturday.
Employees at the center of the labor fight include superintendents, ride operators, candy makers and merchandise clerks at the popular theme park and resort complex, which is the backbone of Southern California’s tourism economy.
An advertising sign in Downtown Disney near Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on April 24, 2023.
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The workers – “actors” in company parlance – entered contract negotiations with the entertainment giant on April 24. Unfair Labor Practice Charges.
The allegations involve more than 675 workers and are currently under investigation by the National Labor Relations Board, an independent federal agency that enforces labor laws.
“We will not accept less than we deserve because we know our value to Disney. Theme park profits come from our hard work to make the Disney Parks trip a magical experience for guests. By compromising our rights, Disney will only make it more difficult for us to fight to help our guests and keep our parks safe,” the negotiating committee said.
In recent years, labor scholars have drawn public attention to the economic struggles of workers at Disneyland and other major theme parks across the country.
For example, in early 2018, researchers at Occidental College and the Economic Roundtable, a nonprofit research organization, issued a report It was found that 74% of Disneyland employees were unable to cover their basic monthly expenses. The report surveyed employees who have experienced homelessness, food insecurity and other challenges.
In an internal survey of union members earlier this year, Twenty-eight percent of Disneyland cast members reported experiencing food insecurity in the last year, 33% reported experiencing housing insecurity, and 42% reported needing to miss work for medical treatment because they did not have enough sick leave.
A billboard advertising Disneyland on April 24, 2023 in Commerce, California.
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In announcing the strike authorization, the union said 64% of actors spent more than half of their monthly salary on rent.
“Disneyland markets itself as the ‘Happiest Place on Earth,’ but the reality for park employees is largely one of economic hardship,” union workers said in a statement ahead of Friday’s vote.
The four unions representing workers are Bakeries, Confectioners, Tobacco Workers and Grain Mills (BCTGM) Local 83; Service Employees International Union-Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW); Teamsters Local 495; and United United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324.
Disneyland Cast Members’ contracts expire on June 16.
The last strike at Disneyland was in September 1984, when nearly 2,000 cast members Resigned 22 days ago.
Despite the strike authorization vote, negotiations are not yet over.
The Disney Workers Rising negotiating committee said it has committed to returning to the bargaining table on Monday and Tuesday.
But the strike authorization allows the bargaining committee to call a strike at any time.
