Disneyland Workers Ready To Strike. Authorization Vote on Friday.

Disney is facing yet another setback as Disneyland workers threaten to strike over wages and working conditions. Yesterday, July 16, marked Disneyland’s 69th anniversary, and hundreds of cast members from the unions representing the 14,000 employees protested outside the main gate.

They expected about 400 employees (cast members) to attend the protest and got about 700. Some even came in their Disney costumes.

Negotiations have been underway since April between Disney and a coalition of four unions (Master Services Council) that represent cast members across many park jobs, from parking attendants to custodians.

The Disneyland cast members’ contract expired last June, and the Disney California Adventure contract is set to expire at the end of September.

Tomorrow, the unions will vote on strike authorization. Some of the protesting employees were shouting, “If we don’t get it, shut it down!”

If the strike authorization is approved, the unions will decide when and for how long to strike.

The next meeting between Disney representatives and the Master Services Council is set for next week, July 22 and 23.

Disney released this statement:

“We remain committed to the upcoming meetings on July 22-23 and reaching an agreement with Master Services that focuses on what matters most to cast members, positions Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation and enables us to continue delivering incredible guest experiences.”

Those with upcoming trips to the parks are starting to get a bit worried about the impending strike. If the parks shut down, it will not look good for Disney, especially since the parks and experiences branch of the business is funding the less profitable parts of the company.

Cast Members are mentioning those increased profits. They claim Disney is charging more and pocketing the money while they keep it going without a livable wage for the area.

The union bargaining committee also released a statement:

“On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, over 1,000 cast members represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83, SEIU-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), Teamsters Local 495 and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324, rallied outside the main entrance to Disneyland Resort two days prior to holding a vote to authorize an Unfair Labor Practice strike.  The strike authorization vote follows unfair labor practices alleging over 650 labor violations by Disney throughout negotiations that have interfered with the Unions getting the fair contract cast members deserve…

..The 14,000 workers of Disney’s largest bargaining unit in California – represent a diverse set of classifications from custodians and ride operators to candy makers and merchandise clerks – entered into negotiations with the company on April 24, 2024, and are fighting for fair wages, a fair attendance policy, seniority increases and safe parks for cast members and guests…

..In June, Disney cast members announced that they filed unfair labor practice charges against Disney on behalf of 14,000 workers at the resort for unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work. The charges relate to over 675 cast members whom the Unions maintain have been intimidated, surveilled and disciplined for wearing union buttons in support of their contract campaign. The charges are currently being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board…

..While Disneyland brands itself as “The Happiest Place on Earth” the reality for park employees is largely one of economic hardship. According to a survey, 73% of the cast members that make these profits possible report they do not earn enough money to cover basic expenses each month. A separate survey of cast members this year found that:

• 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
• The contract for cast members at Disneyland expired June 16, 2024. The contract for Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney cast members expires September 30, 2024.

  …The results of the Unfair Labor Practice strike authorization vote are expected to be announced by July 20 after voting ends and the Unions have notified cast members.“

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Sources: Orange County Register,