Disneyland Park employees vote for possible strike

The decision does not necessarily mean that workers will strike, but it provides the opportunity to do so if further talks fail. UFCW Local 324 said the unions would meet with Disney again on Monday and Tuesday next week, adding that “a strike is always a last resort.”

“We deeply value the important role our employees play in creating unforgettable experiences for our guests,” Disneyland Public Affairs said in a statement. “We remain committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them while positioning Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation.”

The company added that the strike authorization was “not unusual as part of a bargaining process” and said the Disneyland Resort “continues to welcome guests.”

Earlier this week, two days before the vote, more than 1,000 union members held a rally outside the entrance to the Disneyland Resort, according to a union statement.

“We create magic for guests,” Dee Dee Miranda, a Disneyland candy maker and member of the bargaining committee, said in the statement. “We are the ones who give them a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s time Disney appreciated what we do.”

In addition to UFCW 324, three other unions represent workers: Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83, Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW) and Teamsters Local 495.

The unions, which represent workers from janitors and ride operators to candy makers and merchandise vendors, began negotiating in April over contract issues including wages and attendance policies. They say 28 percent of Disney employees surveyed this year report food insecurity, while a third reported housing insecurity.

The unions have since accused Disney of unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of more than 675 union members, who they say were “intimidated, surveilled and disciplined for wearing union badges in support of their collective bargaining campaign” during negotiations.