Disneyland union members vote on strike authorization

July 19 (UPI) – About 9,500 union members at Disneyland will vote on Friday on whether to strike for higher wages and better working conditions.

If the bill is passed, union leaders will be able to call a strike if they cannot get their proposals through at the bargaining table. The result of the vote will be announced on Saturday.

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Many workers complain that they can’t make ends meet financially in expensive Southern California. Some minimum wage earners report living in their cars while working for the entertainment giant.

The trade union organization Master Services Council represents a large proportion of employees, from janitors to ride operators to sales staff.

The contract for Disneyland employees expired on June 16. The contract for California Adventure and Downtown Disney ends on September 30.

Some of the Disney workers protested outside the plant on Wednesday to demonstrate their strength in numbers. The vote to authorize the strike will take place over the weekend before Disney negotiators are expected to meet with union leaders on Monday.

“At the rally (on Wednesday), we remain focused on the well-being of our guests and employees,” Disneyland officials told KTLA-TV on Thursday.

“We remain committed to our upcoming meetings on July 22 and 23 to reach an agreement with Master Services that focuses on what matters most to Cast Members, supports growth and job creation at Disney Resort, and allows us to continue to deliver incredible experiences to our guests.”

The last strike at Disney Resorts took place in 1984 and lasted 22 days. The company said it offers wages starting at $19.90 an hour with a “robust” benefits package.