On Friday, thousands of Disney theme park employees in California voted to approve a potential strike to fight for benefits, wages, and other concerns.
This vote was held by a coalition of four workers’ unions representing nearly 14,000 Disney employees.
Potential Strike
With the vote authorization, Disneyland workers could be striking for the first time at the original Disney resort in California in 40 years.
The original Disneyland Resort opened in Anaheim, California in 1955 and was constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney.
99% of the Vote
The vote to authorize a potential strike at the Disney resort in Anaheim passed by an overwhelming margin.
“Today Disneyland Park cast members made their voices heard by voting to authorize the Disney Workers Rising bargaining committee to call for a strike to protest unfair labor practices by 99%,” UFCW Local 324 said in a statement.
Standing Up to Disney
In their statement, UFCW Local 234 expressed the vote as a public expression of workers standing up for their rights.
“We stood up and showed Disney that we won’t sit by and allow them to intimidate, surveil and unlawfully discipline cast members for exercising their rights,” said the statement.
Not on Strike Yet
While this vote authorizes a strike, the UFCW Local 234 emphasized that workers currently are not on strike and that this is a step in contract negotiations.
“This does not mean we are on strike. This vote simply allows us to take action if Disney continues to silence cast members and prevent us from getting the contract we deserve,” said the UFCW Local 234 statement.
Last Resort
The UFCW Local 234 views the strike of the thousands of workers who approved the vote as a last resort and hopes the move will strengthen their position in contract negotiation.
“A strike is always a last resort, and we have committed to return to the bargaining table Monday and Tuesday prepared to bargain in good faith,” said the statement.
Disney’s Response
Jessica Good, a spokesperson for Disneyland Resort, sent an email to CNN on Friday affirming the company’s commitment to reaching an agreement with the workers.
“We greatly appreciate the important roles our cast members play in creating memorable experiences for our guests, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them while positioning Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation,” said Good.
Not Unusual
Good asserted that such a strike authorization vote is not unusual, seeing it as a normal part of negotiations.
“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,” Good said.
Plans in Place
CNN reports that Disneyland officials have previously asserted that if a strike does happen, there is a contingency plan to ensure that service to guests is not interrupted.
Union leaders have indicated that if an eventual strike does happen, it would only be for a limited duration.
Why the Dispute?
Disneyland workers are advocating for higher pay, better benefits, and better working conditions.
“It’s upsetting that the balloons that we sell in the park are more expensive than [what] I’m making an hour. I have to work an hour and a half if I want to afford one of those Disney balloons,” said Disneyland employee Cyn Carranza.
California Minimum Wage Woes
Employees in California are looking towards a recent minimum wage change this year for certain job industries like fast food that increased wages to $20 an hour with envy.
Voters in the city of Anaheim where the resort resides previously approved a measure to bump the minimum wage to $19.90 per hour starting January 2024
Family Company
Elizabeth Gonzalez, a Disney employee, is sad that colleagues she knows have to live in their cars and work multiple jobs to pay for their expenses.
“I am worried as a future mom for the family I’m creating right now,” Gonzalez said. “Disney can’t call themselves a family friendly company while so many cast members and their families are struggling.”
