People walk to the entrance of Disneyland on April 24, 2023 in Anaheim, California.
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Four unions representing more than 14,000 workers at Disney theme parks and resort properties in Southern California announced late Friday that members have voted to authorize a strike, citing unfair labor practices during contract negotiations.
Thousands of workers at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, the Downtown Disney retail district and Disney-owned hotels have authorized a walkout, the union announced.
If there is an attack, it would be the first at Disneyland in 40 years.
The union said there was a “99% membership vote to authorize the Disney Workers Rising bargaining committee to call for an unfair labor practice strike.” This does not mean that there is a direct attack, but that it is legitimate.
“Instead of working with a fair contract, Disney has taken a number of actions that are considered unfair labor practices, including illegal discipline and intimidation and surveillance of union members who exercise their right to wear union buttons at work,” Disney Workers. Rising Bargaining Committee said in a statement before the vote.
“We understand these actions are just an attempt to prevent us from exercising our rights and creating a contract with a contract that maintains the status quo at Disney,” the bargaining committee added.
The union button in question depicts a Mickey Mouse-style white glove raised in a fist.
The Walt Disney Company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.
Employees at the center of the labor war include custodians, ride operators, candymakers and merchandisers at the popular theme park and resort complex, a pillar of the tourism economy in Southern California.
A sign advertises Downtown Disney near Disneyland on April 24, 2023 in Anaheim, California.
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The workers – known in the parlance of the company as “cast members” – entered into contract negotiations with the entertainment giant on April 24. Almost two months, on June 10, Disney workers announced that they filed charges of unfair labor practices against the company.
The allegations, involving more than 675 workers, are now being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board, an independent federal agency that enforces labor laws.
“We will not accept less than what we deserve because we know our value to Disney. Theme park profits come from our hard work to make a trip to Disneyland a magical experience for our guests. By undermining our rights, Disney only makes it harder. our struggle to help guests and maintain our park,” said the bargaining committee.
In recent years, labor scholars have drawn public attention to the economic struggles of employees at Disneyland and other major theme parks across the country.
In early 2018, for example, researchers at Occidental College and the Economic Roundtable, a non-profit research group, published a report that found 74% of Disneyland workers could not cover basic monthly expenses. The report examines employees experiencing homelessness, food insecurity and other challenges.
In an internal survey of union members conducted earlier this year, 28% of Disneyland cast members reported experiencing food insecurity, 33% reported experiencing housing insecurity in the past year, and 42% reported having to miss work for medical care because they did not have enough sick leave.
A billboard advertises Disneyland on April 24, 2023 in Commerce, California.
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The union said in announcing the strike authorization that 64% of cast members spend more than half their monthly salary on rent.
“Disneyland brands itself as the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ (but) the reality for park employees in general is one of economic hardship,” union workers said in a statement ahead of the election, which took place on Friday.
The four unions representing the workers are Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83; Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW); Teamsters Local 495; and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324.
Contracts for cast members at Disneyland expire June 16. Contracts for cast members at Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney expire September 30.
The last time Disneyland was hit by a strike was September 1984, when nearly 2,000 cast members walked off the job in 22 days.
Despite the strike authorization vote, negotiations are not over.
The Disney Workers’ Bargaining Committee said they are committed to returning to the bargaining table on Monday and Tuesday.
But the strike authority allows the bargaining committee to call a strike at any time, he said.
