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Disneyland employees could be going on strike later this month after various unions representing 14,000 workers announced strike authorization vote.
The vote, which is set to be held next week, will decide whether or not workers at Disneyland will be going on strike as their respective unions negotiate new contracts with the entertainment juggernaut.
The strike vote will only affect employees within Disneyland Park, if approved.
Negotiators — representing custodians, ride operators, merchandise workers and more — started negotiating with Disney in late April. They’re pushing for increased wages, especially for long-time employees, and better access to leave options.
“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,” reads a statement from Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee.
Jessica Good, a spokesperson for Disney, did not return requests for comment Thursday.
Tammy Leos, a 17-year Disneyland employee and union executive board member, said employees should be compensated for their loyalty.
“They make such a big deal about our anniversaries and us being there and wearing pins showing you’ve been there five years, 10 years, 20 years, 50 years, even – but you’re not willing to pay us for that time,” Leos said in a Tuesday phone interview. “I don’t think that’s fair.”
She also said that customers can be aggressive and the company doesn’t always cooperate with employees who have been harmed.
“Ever since we came back from the pandemic, it can be a very unsafe environment working at Disneyland a lot of times because our guests are very aggressive,” Leos said. “The company doesn’t seem to want to stand behind cast members as far as their safety.”
The results of the strike authorization vote are expected to be released by July 20.
A host of unions are in the middle of negotiations – including 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.
The negotiating groups don’t include employees who perform as characters — those workers voted to unionize with the Actors’ Equity Association in May.
Meanwhile, the contract for Disneyland workers expired June 16.
Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney employees operate under a different contract that expires on Sept. 30.
Union leaders also say the vote comes after hundreds of alleged labor violations from Disney as representatives bargain a new contract for employees across Disneyland, California Adventure, Downtown Disney and Disney hotels.
Last month, Disney employees announced they filed unfair labor practice charges against Disney for unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of workers wearing union buttons on the job. The charges are being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.
It’s not the first time Disneyland employees have been at odds with the mouse.
Last year, a three-judge panel from the Fourth Appellate District Court ruled that Disney needs to follow Anaheim’s minimum wage law that applies to subsidized resort businesses – Measure L – and pay their employees nearly $20 per hour.
[Read: Disneyland Workers Could Get Nearly $20 an Hour Following Appeals Court Ruling]
Disney heavily pushed back against the measure, arguing they don’t receive subsidies from Anaheim.
But the appellate court said Disney is included in the law because it receives city subsidies.
Anaheim voters approved Measure L in 2018 with a 54% “yes” vote.
[Read: The Push For More Hotel Worker Protections and Pay Knocks on Anaheim’s Door]
“There are a lot of good people that work at Disneyland that have been loyal to this company, and I really would appreciate if the company would start listening to that,” Leos said. “They have people working there that have been loyal to them for years. What is the price of loyalty?”
Angelina Hicks is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow. Contact her at ahicks@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @angelinahicks13.
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