Disneyland cast members plan vote on strike authorization

About 14,000 Disneyland employees will vote next week on whether to authorize a strike.

Four unions representing cast members called the vote after filing labor lawsuits against Disneyland in May.

The big picture: Cast members include food and commercial employees employed throughout the theme park resort and have negotiated a new contract with Disney, demanding pay 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.

Flashback: In May, union representatives filed an unfair labor practice lawsuit against Disney on behalf of the company’s 14,000 cast members, citing unlawful disciplinary action, intimidation and surveillance of union members who exercised their right to wear union badges at work.

• The National Labor Relations Board is currently investigating the allegations.

The headlines determine: The current contract for Disneyland Cast Members expires on June 16, 2024, and for Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney Cast Members expires on September 30, 2024.

• The results of the vote on strike authorization are expected to be announced by July 20.
• Negotiations between Disneyland Resort and the Master Services Council, which represents 14,000 cast members, began in late April 2024. The contract expired on June 16 because the Master Services Council declined to renew the contract. The next meeting is scheduled for July 22.
• The latest strike authorization came during Disneyland’s busy summer season and after Disneyland employees announced their intention to unionize in February. It was the first strike since a major 22-day strike in 1984.