Disneyland employees vote on strike during collective bargaining negotiations

Unions representing 14,000 actors in Disneyland Resort have announced a vote on authorizing a strike for next week.

The Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee, a coalition of four unions, represents 14,000 workers at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney and the Disneyland hotels.

Thousands of these workers will vote on whether to strike as part of negotiations on a new collective agreement that began in April this year. The following month, unions filed unfair labor practice lawsuits against Disney

The unions representing the performers are demanding fair wages, a fair attendance policy, seniority increases and safe Amusement parks for employees and guests.

Unions demand fair wages

The results of the vote are expected to be announced by July 20. The full statement from the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee can be found below:

“Our negotiating goal has always been to reach an agreement with Disney – one that provides cast members with the salaries they need to live in Southern California, the respect they deserve for the years they have dedicated to the company, and an attendance policy that works for everyone while ensuring the safety of park guests.

“But instead of working with us toward a fair contract, Disney has engaged in several instances of conduct that we believe constitute unfair labor practices, including unlawful disciplinary actions and intimidation, as well as surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union badges at work. We know these actions are just an attempt to prevent us from exercising our rights and to saddle us with a contract that maintains the status quo at Disney.

“We will not accept less than we deserve because we know how much we are worth to Disney. The theme parks’ profits come from our hard work making a trip to Disneyland a magical experience for guests. By undermining our rights, Disney has only made our fight to help our guests and keep our parks safe even more difficult. That’s why we are forced to vote next week on whether to authorize a strike after our contract expires. With this strike authorization vote, we are ensuring that Disney hears the voices of Disneyland Cast Members.”

The Disneyland The workers are represented by Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83, Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), Teamsters Local 495 and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324.

Alongside the statement, the unions cited a survey of workers conducted earlier this year that found 28 percent of Disney workers were food insecure and 64 percent said they were “rent burdened.”

In addition, 42 percent of performers said they had to miss work for medical treatment because they did not have enough sick leave, and 33 percent said they had suffered from a housing shortage in the past year.

Disney makes a statement

Disney said in a opinion: “We respect and value our performers and recognize the important role they play in the satisfaction of our guests.”

The next meeting with the unions is scheduled for July 22. Disney said it remains “committed to continuing the talks and reaching an agreement.”

The contract with Disneyland expired on June 16. The contracts with Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney expire on September 30.

Images courtesy of Disney