14,000 Disneyland cast members vote on strike authorization

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Not everything is well in the house of mouse.

The largest bargaining unit for Disney employees in California — representing everyone from janitors and ride operators to candy makers and merchandise vendors — announced today that a vote on whether to authorize a strike for Disneyland employees is scheduled. Results are expected to be announced by July 20, after votes are counted and unions notify employees.

Unions representing 14,000 cast members at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney and Disney hotels began negotiations with the company on April 24, demanding what they say are fair wages, fair attendance policies, increased seniority benefits and safe parks for cast members and guests.

In May, Disney cast members filed an unfair labor practice lawsuit against Disney on behalf of 14,000 of the resort’s employees, alleging unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of union members who exercised their right to wear union badges at work. The charges involve over 675 cast members and are currently under investigation by the National Labor Relations Board.

“Our negotiating goal has always been to reach an agreement with Disney – one that provides cast members with the wages 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,” said a statement from the Disney Workers Rising bargaining committee.

“But instead of working with us toward a fair contract, Disney has engaged in several instances in 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.”

The affected workers include 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.

The group does not include the performers who appear as characters or dance in the parades, nor the presenters, lead actors and trainers who work with them. Those workers voted to unionize with the Actors’ Equity Association in May.

Disney has big plans for Walt’s original park.

On May 8, the Anaheim City Council gave its final approval to DisneylandForward, Disney’s $1.9 billion, multi-decade expansion plan. It calls for theme park attractions adjacent to hotels on the west side of Disneyland Drive, and new shopping, dining and entertainment options to the southeast in what is now the Toy Story parking lot at Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard. All of these plans would include workers like the 14,000 who will now vote on a strike authorization.

The Disney Workers Rising bargaining committee added: “We will not accept less than we deserve because we know what 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.”

Disney is dependent on the DisneylandForward project because, although the Parks and Experiences division continues to generate money, the outstanding revenue growth of 10% in the second quarter of this year is largely due to the overseas properties.

Despite rising visitor numbers and per capita spending, Disneyland saw earnings decline year-over-year due to higher costs, including labor, Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston said in a conference call on second-quarter results.

Park workers say they haven’t seen much of that bounty. According to a survey unions released before voting on strike authorization, 73 percent of the employees who make those gains possible said they “don’t make enough money to cover basic expenses each month.”

A separate poll of cast members earlier this year found the following:

The contracts of the cast members in question expired on June 16. The contracts of the cast members at Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney expire on September 30.