Trade unions representing 14,000 cast members across Disneyland Resort have announced a strike authorisation vote 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 employees will vote on whether to stage a strike amid negotiations over a new union contract, which started in April this year. The following month, the unions filed unfair labour practice charges against Disney
The unions representing the cast members are asking for fair wages, a fair attendance policy, seniority increases, and safe theme parks for staff and guests.
Unions asking for fair wages
The results of the vote are expected to be announced by 20 July. The full statement from the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee is below:
“Our goal for negotiations has always been to reach an agreement with Disney — one that provides cast members with wages they need to live in Southern California, the respect they deserve for the years they’ve dedicated to the company and an attendance policy that works for everyone while keeping park guests safe.
“But instead of working with us toward a fair contract, Disney has engaged in multiple instances of conduct we allege are unfair labor practices, including unlawful discipline and intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work. We know these actions are only an attempt to stop us from exercising our rights and saddle us with a contract that perpetuates the status quo at Disney.
“We won’t accept less than what we deserve because we know our value 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 harder our fight to help our guests and keep our parks safe, which is why we are compelled to take a vote next week on whether to authorize a strike after our contract expired. With this strike authorization vote, we will ensure Disney hears Disneyland’s cast members’ voices.”
The Disneyland workers are represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83, the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), the Teamsters Local 495, and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324.
Alongside the statement, the unions cited a survey of workers carried out earlier this year. It found that 28 percent of Disney workers reported experiencing food insecurity, and 64 percent reported being “rent burdened”.
Also, 42 percent of cast members said they had to miss work for medical treatment because they didn’t have enough sick leave, and 33 percent said they have experienced housing insecurity in the past year.
Disney issues statement
Disney said in a statement: “We respect and value our cast members and recognize the important role they play in creating happiness for our guests.”
The next meeting with the unions, it added, is scheduled for 22 July. Disney said it remains “committed to continuing discussions and to reaching an agreement”.
The Disneyland contract expired on 16 June. The Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney contracts expire on 30 September.
Images courtesy of Disney
