Disneyland cast members vote on strike authorization

General views of the Walt Disney “Partners” statue at Disneyland on April 6, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Four unions representing 14,000 Disneyland Resort employees have scheduled a vote next week on authorizing a strike after filing a series of labor lawsuits against the theme park in May.

The represented employees, whom Disney calls Cast Members, include food and trade employees employed throughout the theme park resort. They have been negotiating a new contract with Disney since April, 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.

In May, union representatives said they had filed an unfair labor practice lawsuit against Disney on behalf of the 14,000 cast members for “unlawfully disciplining, intimidating and monitoring union members who exercise their right to wear union badges at work.”

The National Labor Relations Board is currently investigating the allegations.

“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 in making a trip to Disneyland a magical experience for guests,” said a statement from the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee.

“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.”

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 voting results are expected to be announced by July 20.

In an email previously sent to KTLA, Disneyland Resort said starting salaries for the positions range from $19.90 to $25 per hour and that the resort offers a “comprehensive” benefits package and additional resources for cast members.

The latest strike authorization came during Disneyland’s busy summer season and after Disneyland employees – particularly those working in the resort’s character and parade departments – announced their intention to unionize in February.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Disney theme park employees have not gone on strike since a major 22-day strike in 1984.