Yesterday, Disneyland cast members who are part of the unions involved in the coalition to bargain with the Walt Disney Company voted to approve strike authorization.
Although a strike has not started yet, this will give the union authorization to start one when necessary. Cast Members are not to walk out until they are told to do so. It is meant to be a last resort.
The strike was authorized by 99% of the union, so the cast members feel strongly about and are united on these issues. One thing they are asking for is better pay, as inflation has made it harder for them to live on what they are paid in California. Some face food insecurity and housing issues.
In a previous statement, the unions put out these statistics:
- Nearly three in 10 cast members (28%) report experiencing food insecurity
- 64% of cast members are “rent burdened” or spending more than half of their monthly paychecks on rent
- 33% of cast members experienced housing insecurity in the past year
- 42% of cast members had to miss work for medical treatment because they didn’t have enough sick leave
Negotiations with Disney will continue on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23. The goal is to reach an agreement that could stop a strike, but now the union coalition has the authorization to go on strike if they need to.
If you have planned trips to Disneyland in the near future, do not panic yet, but be aware that a strike could happen. Keep checking the news on the situation.
The unions represent 14,000 cast members at Disneyland, Downtown Disney District, and Disney California Adventure. A strike would likely significantly impact operations.
Plus, Disney will likely have many people who plan to visit the theme parks when they attend the D23 Expo on August 9-11. It would not be a good look to have a strike going on.
Disney is counting on theme parks and experiences to offset the losses to the rest of the company. Usually, that is the one division doing exceptionally well. I don’t know if Disney can afford to take a hit at that branch of the company, especially since Anaheim will be the media focus in just a couple of weeks.
Here is the statement from the unions on Instagram:
“ULP STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTE PASSES BY 99%
Today Disneyland Park cast members made their voices heard by voting to authorize the Disney Workers Rising bargaining committee to call for a strike to protest unfair labor practices by 99%. We stood up and showed Disney that we won’t sit by and allow them to intimidate, surveil and unlawfully discipline cast members for exercising their rights.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
This does not mean we are on strike. This vote simply allows us to take action if Disney continues to silence cast members and prevent us from getting the contract we deserve.
A strike is always a last resort, and we have committed to return to the bargaining table Monday and Tuesday prepared to bargain in good faith.
You will always be the first to know if we are taking action. There are many ways we can stand up for our rights, and there will be opportunities to attend actions, member meetings, calls, or trainings, where we can ask questions and feel confident about taking action together.
And if Disney forces us to strike, we will have strike funds available to support us.
AGAIN: DO NOT WALK OUT UNTIL YOUR UNION NOTIFIES YOU. If you walk out before that, you can be disciplined and/or fired.”
What do you think? Comment and let us know!
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