Disneyland Workers Vote to Authorize Strike
Anaheim, California - Thousands of Disneyland workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize a potential strike on Friday, escalating the ongoing contract negotiations with Disney.
The strike authorization, approved by nearly 99% of voting members, was the result of a vote held by a coalition of four unions representing over 14,000 employees. These workers include ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers, ticket takers, parking attendants, and other essential personnel.
The coalition, known as Disney Workers Rising, stated in a press release, "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."
The strike authorization empowers union leaders to call for a strike if they are unable to reach a new contract agreement with Disney. This power comes after months of negotiations over wage increases, safety measures, attendance policies, and other benefits, which began in April.
In response to the strike authorization, Jessica Good, a Disneyland Resort spokesperson, stated, "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. 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."
Both sides are scheduled to return to the bargaining table on Monday. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether Disneyland will face a potential labor disruption in the near future.
