Strike at Disneyland hits Disney at a delicate moment and is a first in the company’s history

July 23, 2024

The Teamsters union authorized its members to strike the Walt Disney Company at its Disneyland theme park in California, a historic moment in the company’s history that has only occurred a few times in the past.

Sleeping Beauty Castle in 2019 after renovation. Image credit: CrispyCream27, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Teamsters announced on X late last week that 99 percent of their members had approved a strike after the two sides failed to reach an agreement with the Walt Disney Company on “higher wages, better benefits, fair attendance policies, seniority rights, safer working conditions and more respect in the workplace.”

David Hernandez, a monorail operator and union representative for Local 495, said, “We are tired of being pushed around by Disney and are ready to fight back against the union’s unfair labor practices. Disney believes that by violating our rights, it can force us to accept a substandard contract, but they are wrong. We are united, strong and ready to strike to get the fair contract we deserve.”

Teamsters at @Disneyland voted for a strike with an overwhelming majority of 99 percent!

The decisive vote is a direct reaction to @Disney the refusal of management to negotiate in good faith and the company’s numerous unfair labor practices.

In California, 6,000 of… pic.twitter.com/we97J2I2gj

— Teamsters (@Teamsters) July 20, 2024

READ: 99% of Disneyland cast members vote for strike

Given the fact that the Teamsters are allowing their members to strike at the Disneyland Resort, it is important to realize that this may be an unusual occurrence.

Let’s take a look at the times when Disneyland was either closed or disrupted by similar situations. For the purposes of this mini-history, natural disasters, disease, and voluntary closures are removed. What remains are times when Disneyland was either closed (or severely disrupted by unions, cast members, the sociopolitical environment in Southern California, or other similar events).

Mickey walks down Main Street USA at Disneyland. (Source: Mortimer Productions)

To see how rare this is, take a look at the list:

Yippie Invasion (1970): On August 6, 1970, Disneyland was unexpectedly closed due to an invasion by the Yippies (Youth International Party). The group staged a protest in the park that led to clashes with security guards and police. The situation escalated and led to the early closure of the park that day to ensure the safety of guests and employees. Often left unmentioned is that some employees were sympathetic and may have been instrumental in the invasion and protests.

Strike 1984: A notable closure due to labor disputes occurred in 1984, when Disneyland faced a major strike by its union members. The park’s employees, including ride operators, performers, and maintenance staff, walked out of the park in protest over working conditions and wages. The strike resulted in a partial closure of the park for several days. Negotiations between Disney management and the unions eventually led to a resolution, but the event underscored the importance of labor relations to the park’s operations.

Radiator Springs at Disneyland Resort’s California Adventure Theme Park

READ: Star Wars: Rise of The Resistance Single Rider Line Breaks Immersion and Skips Two Previews

Hotel workers strike 2003: In 2003, the Disneyland Resort experienced disruption due to a strike by hotel employees at the Disneyland Hotel. The workers, represented by the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE), demanded better wages and working conditions. While the theme parks themselves remained open, the strike disrupted hotel operations and drew media attention to labor issues at the resort.

Black Lives Matter protests (2020): The Black Lives Matter protests following the killing of George Floyd in 2020 did not result in the complete closure of the Disneyland Resort — it was already closed due to COVID — but did result in increased security measures and temporary adjustments to operations. The protests underscored the broader social movements impacting businesses across the country, including major tourist destinations like Disneyland. At the time, Disneyland was mostly closed … yet the few employees stationed at the theme park were often allowed to quietly participate in protests rather than be at the resort.

A photo of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park via the Disney Parks Blog

In other words, this is not an everyday occurrence. If Disneyland closes for the second time in five years, it is a sign of a volatility in our society that has not been seen often in the past. After all, it took about thirty years since Disneyland opened for a predictable closure to occur. But this is the world we live in today.

Moreover, the damage Disney could suffer from a strike is particularly severe for the company right now. The stock has fallen significantly in recent weeks, raising fears that a new proxy fight for seats on the board could be on the horizon in the near future. The earnings call in early August may actually go ahead, although an ongoing strike by Burbank executives is throwing a wrench into the works.

And perhaps most damaging — though less likely — if the strike actually lasts until the Disney convention, called D23, Disney could suffer a reputation as bad as almost anything in the past. After all, D23 is literally across the street from Disneyland. Can you imagine picketing for the most magical convention in the world?