Disneyland Resort cast members who were covered by the Disneyland Park Master Services Council contract voted on Monday to approve a new contract and avert a strike. Cast members, represented by the Master Services Council, voted to approve a three year contract. This ends months of negotiations that began in April.
The unions representing the approximately 9,000 cast members released the following statement on Monday night:
Our Disney Contracts Have Been Ratified!
Our new three-year contract agreements with Disney have officially been ratified. Thank you for taking the time to vote and ensuring your voice was heard.
Because of our solidarity and commitment to fighting for the contract we all deserve, our historic new contracts include:
A three-year contract!
The biggest wage increases ever! Most cast members will be receiving $6.10 over three years!
Minimum base wage rate of $24 in 2024 (or more for some classifications)
Historic longevity increases for senior cast members
Attendance policy and sick leave improvements that give cast members more opportunities to attend to personal issues without fearing discipline
New premiums for cast membersThis victory is a direct result of us showcasing our power at the bargaining table and in the parks.
Every meeting we attended, rally we participated in, petition we signed, and button we wore forced Disney to recognize our power and enabled us to reach this historic agreement. The solidarity and record participation we achieved in this fight means we are that much stronger for our next contract campaign. And that campaign starts now.
Look at what we have accomplished this year, and imagine what we can do when we have three years to get even stronger before we come back to the bargaining table and sit across from Disney. We are absolutely stronger together, so continue to stay engaged with your stewards, fellow cast members and your union.
If you have any questions about the new contracts, please do not hesitate to reach out to your stewards, union representatives, or bargaining committee members.
In Solidarity,
Your Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee
The Disneyland Resort said about the following about this new contract:
On July 29, 2024, Disneyland Resort cast members represented by the Master Services Council ratified new three-year agreements for Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney District, which were unanimously endorsed by union leadership. The new agreements demonstrate the value of the cast members’ role and lead with significant wage increases including longevity and premium pay.
The New Contract
The new contract that was approved on Monday includes a starting rate of $24.00 per hour increasing to $26.00 per hour throughout the length of the contract. Along with the increased starting rate, cast members who are represented by the Master services Council also receive retroactive pay from June 17, 2024. All cast members who have a current rate or $19.90 per hour will receive a raise of nearly 21% to $24.00 per house. This will increase to at least a nearly 31% increase throughout the life of the contract.
For cast members who were hired after July 29, 2024, they will receive 90% of the starting rate for the first 52 weeks of consecutive employment. After this, they will move to the full rate.
The agreements also include longevity increases of $0.50 for cast member that have over 10 years of service. There is a $2.00 increase for current cast members with over 20 years of service as well. The following example was shared by Disney for how this works:
A tenured 21-year cast member with a current pay rate of $23.60 per hour would now earn $27.60 per hour. The new wage includes $2.00 for individual increases and another $2.00 for longevity of over 20 years of employment. In total, this equates to a 17% increase and, with subsequent wage increases of $1.00 in each of the other two years of the agreement, $6.00 or approximately 25% over the length of the contract.
Disney said that, “The agreements, along with all we offer as part of Disneyland Resort’s employment experience, demonstrate a profound commitment to cast members’ overall well-being and quality of life for them and their families.”
The Backstory
The new contract replaces one that expired on June 16, 2024. When it expired, there was no contract extension in place. After the contract expired, the union’s obligation to maintain labor peace ended. This created the potential for the union to call a strike with proper authorization from its membership. This authorization has now been given by a vote that was 99% in favor of authorizing the strike.
The vote came after months of negotiations between the unions and the Disneyland Resort that began in April. With no agreement being reached, unions have accused Disney of intimidating employees. It is alleged that Disney has reprimanded and issued warnings to over 500 cast members for wearing a union pin that features an image of Mickey Mouse’s glove clenched in the shape of a fist. The National Labor Relations Board is investigating 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 that in mind, anything that distracted 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 would wear something not part of an approved Disney Look costume would have a leader asking for it to be removed. Disney leaders did this to maintain the integrity of the show. The only time that a disciplinary action would be dispensed was after repeated violations. In that case, a verbal warning is what was the start of the process. Only a handful of disciplinary actions were given.
Initially, cast members voted to approve a strike after a protest was held by union members and supporters on Disneyland’s 69th birthday. Hundreds marched on Disney Way and Harbor Boulevard to share their message. This was followed up by the vote on Friday. Because of the continued talks and then the cast member approval of the contract that came from them, there will be no strike as a part of this negotiation.
