Approximately 9,000 cast members who are represented by four unions are voting on whether or not to authorize a strike. The vote comes after protests took place outside of Disneyland earlier this week on its 69th birthday. The vote is taking place from 6:30 AM until 8:00 PM on Friday, July 19, 2024. Throughout the day, there are informational meetings. All of this is taking place at the Anaheim Hilton.
These cast members were covered by the Disneyland Park Master Services Council contract. This contract expired on June 16, 2024. There is no contract extension in place. After the contract expired, the union’s obligation to maintain labor peace ended, which created the potential for the union to call a strike with proper authorization from its membership.
The strike vote comes after months of negotiations between the unions and Disneyland Resort. The negotiations began in April but currently no agreement has been reached. Over the course of the last few months, the unions have accused Disney of intimidating employees. They allege that Disney has reprimanded and issued warnings to approximately 500 cast members for wearing a union pin. The pin has a Mickey Mouse glove clenched in the shape of a fist. Complaints to the National Labor Relations Board have led to an ongoing investigation of these claims.
Disney, for its part, has a long tradition of the “Disney Look.” This is something that Disney is very intentional about and helps make the guest experience immersive and uphold the statement that guests pass under when they enter Disneyland and see the plaque that says, “Here you Leave Today and Enter the World of Yesterday, Tomorrow and Fantasy.” With this in mind, anything that distracts from the show or story, be it a non-approved button, pin or sticker worn by a cast member, would be addressed by a leader.
Cast members who wear something not part of an approved Disney Look costume would lead to a leader asking for it to be removed. Disney leaders have been doing this to maintain the integrity of the show. The only time that a disciplinary action would be dispensed is after repeated violations. In this case, a verbal warning is what is what starts the process. Currently, only a handful of disciplinary actions have been given.
When the strike vote was authorized earlier this month, Disney said, “The Master Services Council has scheduled a strike authorization vote for July 19, 2024. A strike authorization is not unusual as part of the negotiations process and does not indicate a strike is imminent or underway. Disneyland Resort remains open and ready to welcome guests.”
On Wednesday, union members and supporters gathered together to protest wages, seniority increases, the attendance policy, safety, and other issues. Protestors could be heard chanting on Disney Way and Harbor Boulevard.
“Our goal for negotiations has always been to reach an agreement with Disney — one that provides cast members with wages they need to live in Southern California, the respect they deserve for the years they’ve dedicated to the company and an attendance policy that works for everyone while keeping park guests safe,” the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee said in a statement.
“But instead of working with us toward a fair contract, Disney has engaged in multiple instances of conduct we allege are unfair labor practices, including unlawful discipline and intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work. We know these actions are only an attempt to stop us from exercising our rights and saddle us with a contract that perpetuates the status quo at Disney.”
The results of the strike vote are expected to be announced by July 20th. They will be announced after the results have been counted and cast members have been notified. These cast members include the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83, the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), the Teamsters Local 495 and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324. This set of negotiations does not include the recently unionized entertainment performers, hosts, and leads who recently voted to unionize as a part of the Actors’ Equity Association.
Disneyland officials said, “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.”
The negotiations come with the backdrop of Anaheim recently approving a massive expansion of the Disneyland Resort as part of its DisneylandForward initiative. While this doesn’t change the footprint of the Disneyland Resort, it will lead to lots of growth for the resort in the coming years. This growth will impact cast members who struggle to be able to afford to live close to where they work.
The Disneyland Resort has cast members who are represented by 26 unions. In fact, 80% of cast members are represented by unions. In the last five years, cast member wages have gone up by over 40%. This represents start rates that are 25% – 40% over minimum wage.
Daps Magic will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available. Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
