Disneyland cast members vote to authorize strike
Thousands of workers could walk off the job if a deal isn't reached as their unions face expired contracts and allege hundreds of labor violations.
The four unions that represent 14,000 cast members at Disneyland, California Adventure, Downtown Disney and Disney hotels announced late Friday that union members have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike.
The vote does not automatically trigger a walkout. If a deal isn't reached by the two sides, Disneyland could see its first strike in 40 years.
Disneyland cast members' union contract expired on June 16. Meanwhile, the contract for Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney cast members will expire Sept. 30. Cast members say the company has interfered with their right to draw up new contracts. The workers say they are committed to returning to the bargaining table on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23.
Unfair labor practice charges were filed against the employer in May for "unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance" of union members wearing union buttons at work, according to a statement from Disney Workers Rising.
“We are fed up with being pushed around by Disney and are ready to fight back against its unfair labor practices,” David Hernandez, a monorail operator and Teamsters Local 495 shop steward said in a statement. “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.”
More than 675 cast members report that they have been affected by labor violations. The allegations are being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board, the unions said.
Ahead of the vote, more than 1,000 Disney workers rallied at the park's entrance to protest hundreds of labor violations they say the employer has committed.
Disney cast members are collectively represented by four unions: 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.
Some 73% of Disney's workers do not earn enough money to cover basic expenses each month, according to a survey cited by the unions.
"I know parents that work two, sometimes three jobs and never have time to spend with their kids,” said Elizabeth Gonzalez, a day custodial cast member at Disney California Adventure. “I know another parent that lives with their two toddlers in a car. I am worried as a future mom for the family I'm creating right now. Disney can't call themselves a family-friendly company while so many cast members and their families are struggling.”
Kat Schuster
A separate survey of cast members this year found the following, according to Disney Workers Rising:
- 28% of cast members report experiencing food insecurity
- 64% of cast members are “rent-burdened” or spending more than half of their monthly paychecks on rent
- 33% of cast members experienced housing insecurity in the past year
- 42% of cast members said they had to miss work for medical treatment because they didn’t have enough sick leave.
According to Disney, cast members starting wages range from $19.90 per hour to $24.15 per hour.
“We make Disneyland the place for family vacations, birthdays, and celebrations. We make the theme parks’ profits and the magic you find across the resort. But instead of rewarding our hard work and dedication, Disney is intimidating, surveilling, and unlawfully disciplining members, harming our negotiations and our ability to get the contract we deserve," according to the Disney Workers Rising bargaining committee.
Friday's vote, which was announced on July 9, signifies that the workers can strike at will if Disney refuses to come to the bargaining table and reach a deal with the unions.
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