14,000 Members of Disneyland’s Castmember Union Have Voted to Strike
99% of the four unions that represent Disneyland California workers have voted to authorize a strike.
From The Vulture:
“On Friday, the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee, which comprises four different unions representing 14,000 Disneyland park employees, released a statement declaring that 99% of their members have authorized a strike, meaning they would not show up to work at the parks if implimented. While that doesn’t mean a strike has been scheduled, it does mean that the union can implement a strike as negotiations for their new contract continue. The committee explained: “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.” On Wednesday, over 1,000 people reportedly protested outside Disneyland’s entrance in support of park employees advocating for changes like fair wages and a “fair attendance policy.”
Wages at Disneyland are too low for the cost of living in California and conditions have bluntly become dangerous. There has been a better than 50% turnover at Disneyland since 2020. These new castmembers aren’t the product of the old Disney Parks Orientation Program. They aren’t part of the old culture that Walt Disney created.
Bob Iger has never been all that interested in the parks but he’s going to have to pay attention now.
They go back to the bargaining table Monday. If there isn’t movement soon the strike will move forward.