Disneyland cast members to vote on strike authorization

Four unions representing 14,000 cast members at the Disneyland Resort have scheduled a strike authorization vote for next week after filing a series of labor charges against the theme park in May.

The represented employees, whom Disney refers to as cast members, include food and commercial workers employed throughout the theme park resort. Since April, they have been negotiating a new contract with Disney, seeking wage increases, safety improvements and more.

The unions involved are the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 83, the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West, the Teamsters Local 495 and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324.

In May, the union representatives said they filed unfair labor practice charges against Disney on behalf of the 14,000 cast members for “unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work.”

The National Labor Relations Board is currently investigating the charges.

“We won’t accept less than what we deserve because we know our value to Disney. The theme parks’ profits come from our hard work making a trip to Disneyland a magical experience for guests,” the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee said in a statement.

“By undermining our rights, Disney has only made harder our fight to help our guests and keep our parks safe, which is why we are compelled to take a vote next week on whether to authorize a strike after our contract expired.”

The current contract for Disneyland cast members expires on June 16, 2024, and for Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney cast members, it expires on Sept. 30, 2024.

Voting results are expected to be announced by July 20.

“Negotiations between Disneyland Resort and Master Services Council — which represents four major unions and nearly 14,000 cast members at Disneyland Resort including: Attractions, Candy Makers, Costuming, Custodial, Main Entrance, Parking, Resort Transportation, Store Operations, Team Centers, and Anaheim Distribution Center — began in late April 2024 with continued conversations taking place throughout the last few months. The official Disneyland Park Master Services Council contract expired on June 16, with Master Services Council declining to enter into a contract extension,” Disneyland Resort officials said in a statement to KTLA.

“We respect and value our cast members and recognize the important role they play in creating happiness for our guests. With the next meeting scheduled for July 22, we remain committed to continuing discussions and to reaching an agreement with the Master Services Council that focuses on what matters most to our current cast members, helps us attract new cast, and positions Disneyland Resort for growth and the creation of more jobs.”

Disneyland Resort previously shared with KTLA that starting rates for positions range from $19.90 to $25 an hour and that the resort offers a “robust” benefits package and additional resources for cast members.

The latest strike authorization comes during Disneyland’s busy summer season and after Disneyland cast members, particularly those who work in the resort’s Characters and Parades departments, announced their intent to unionize in February.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Disney theme park workers haven’t walked off the job since a 22-day major strike in 1984.