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A coalition of three Disney unions representing 14,000 “cast members” will vote next week on the possibility of strike action in response to what it alleges are unfair labor practices.
Representing staff from Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and the Disney hotels, the bargaining unit has been negotiating a new contract since April 24, and has scheduled the vote for July 19.
“Our goal for negotiations has always been to reach an agreement with Disney,” a statement from the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee says. The unions are seeking what they believe are fair wages in line with the cost of living in Southern California, an attendance policy that “works for everyone,” and safer parks for cast members and visitors alike.
However, the statement claims that Disney has not worked with the committee toward a fair contract, instead alleging it has engaged in unfair labor practices.
These include “unlawful discipline and intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work,” according to the statement. “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.”
The National Labor Relations Board is investigating charges relating to over 675 cast members at Disney, who accuse their employer of intimidation, surveillance, and disciplinary threats over wearing union buttons. Disney says the buttons breach its “Disney look” dress code.
Disney has responded to the threat of strike action with a statement, noting that “continued conversations [have been] taking place throughout the last few months.”
“We respect and value our cast members and recognize the important role they play in creating happiness for our guests… we remain committed to continuing discussions and reaching an agreement,” the statement continued.
The next meeting between the Master Services Council and Disney’s representatives is scheduled for July 22, three days after the vote has taken place.
The Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee says it “won’t accept less than we deserve because we know our value to Disney,” adding that the theme park’s financial success comes from their hard work.
Four local union divisions make up the coalition, including the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324, the Teamsters Local 495, the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Andrea Zinder, President of the UFCW Local 324, says that Disney has not yet budged on the issues important to its cast members.
“The unfair labor practices that Disney has committed are so egregious that they interfere with our ability to get a fair contract,” she alleges.
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The committee also references a previous survey of Disney’s cast members, which found that 68% of Disneyland workers are “food insecure”; 73% do not earn enough to cover basic expenses each month; and only 28% report having the same schedule each week.
Cast members at Disney are pushing for major improvements to their wages, which is currently a minimum of $19.90 an hour under Anaheim’s living wage law.
“The company is trying to claim that their pay proposal represents a 40% increase over the term of the contract from 2023,” Zinder said. “But, in reality, a portion of that was imposed upon them by Anaheim’s living-wage law.”
Prior to the minimum wage law, workers were only paid $18 an hour under the Master Service Council contract for 2023 which expired on June 16.
The results of the strike authorization votes are set to be confirmed on July 20.
