Disneyland Resort cast members who were covered by the Disneyland Park Master Services Council contract voted on Friday to authorize a strike. This does not mean that a strike will be happening. It does mean that the unions representing 9,000 cast members have that possibility in the future. The next step will be a meeting between Disneyland Resort and Master Services Council on July 22nd and 23rd.
The Disneyland Resort released the following statement on the vote: “We greatly appreciate the important roles our cast members play in creating memorable experiences for our guests, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them while positioning Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation. Master Services Council’s strike authorization is not unusual as part of a negotiations process, and we look forward to continuing discussions at upcoming meetings on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23. A strike date has not been scheduled, and Disneyland Resort continues to welcome guests.”
The contract in question 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. 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 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.
The vote this week came 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. At this point, a strike is not a guarantee but just one more tool that could potentially used in the negotiations next week.
Daps Magic will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.
