Disneyland workers may soon hit the picket line and go on strike against the largest employer in Orange County after a coalition of unions representing 14,000 employees overwhelmingly authorized union leaders to call a strike if they can’t negotiate a new contract.
Last week, hundreds of employees called for better wages and working conditions during a rally in front of the theme park.
[Read: Santana: Officials Praise Disneyland as a Boss, Workers Say Otherwise]
On Friday, workers represented by four unions 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 – voted 99% in support of a walkout.
Sebastian Silva, a spokesperson with Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West, said union leaders are confident a deal will be reached because workers are ready to use any tool at their disposable including a strike to make that happen.
“If we don’t get an offer that we feel reflects the interests of workers, we will then consider making a decision, but there’s no decision at this time,” he said in a Monday phone interview about when workers would strike.
He added that employees are also calling for changes to the current attendance policy, seniority based raises for workers and better safety for cast members.
Silva said he could not comment on the specifics of the wage increases or seniority increases but said that Disneyland employees have faced an increase in verbal harassment from guests since the pandemic and want to see more support from management.
Jessica Good, a spokeswoman for Disneyland, said in a Saturday email that park representatives are focused on reaching an agreement with the Master Services Council – the four unions.
“Master Services Council’s strike authorization is not unusual as part of a negotiations process, and we look forward to continuing discussions at upcoming meetings on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23. A strike date has not been scheduled, and Disneyland Resort continues to welcome guests,” she said.
According to a Disney website, if a strike does happen, the company’s flagship theme park and surrounding resort will stay open.
“If approved, a strike would affect only a portion of cast members at Disneyland Park. Our Disneyland Resort parks and hotels will remain open and ready to welcome guests if any number of our Disney cast members strike. Disneyland Resort employs over 35,000 cast members, and we are dedicated to the well-being of each one,” reads the website.
Friday’s vote comes months after Anaheim officials unanimously approved a $2 billion proposal to expand the iconic theme park, with support from a host of Disney workers and numerous labor leaders who said the expansion would create high quality jobs.
[Read: Santana: Officials Praise Disneyland as a Boss, Workers Say Otherwise]
During that process, Anaheim City Council members and Disneyland executives and managers praised the theme park as an employer.
Disneyland employees’ labor unrest also comes a year after a host of workers, including local OC hotel employees, went on strike last summer to fight for better wages amid inflation and a higher cost of living.
[Read: The Summer of Strikes]
The contract for nearly 9,000 Disneyland workers expired June 16. Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney employees operate under a different contract that expires on Sept. 30.
In June, Disney labor representatives 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.
[Read: Are Disneyland Workers Going on Strike?]
“We are fed up with being pushed around by Disney and are ready to fight back against its unfair labor practices,” said David Hernandez, a monorail operator and Teamsters Local 495 shop steward, in a Friday news release.
“Disney believes it can bully us into accepting a subpar contract by violating our rights, but they are wrong. We are united, strong, and prepared to strike to secure the fair contract we deserve.”
According to Disney, wearing unapproved buttons is against company dress code guidelines.
“Anything that distracts from the show or story, be it a non-approved button, pin or sticker worn by a cast member, would be addressed by a leader,” reads a company website.
“Our Disney Look and the costumes worn by our cast members are a critical part of enhancing the experience of our Disney show.”
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter and corps member with Report for America, a GroundTruth initiative. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam.
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