Earlier this month, Disneyland cast members in California voted on whether or not to authorize a strike, in response to contract negotiations that had been going on since April. Making this the first possible strike for the park since 1984.
On July 29th, the unions officially agreed to ratify new three-year contracts with the company.
The new contracts include a minimum wage base pay of $24, wage increases, seniority increases, and more flexible policies for sick leave and attendance, among other things.
A Victory For Cast Members
“We have fought hard for the past four months and this tentative agreement would not have been possible without the strength we showed this past week with our rally and Unfair Labor Practice vote,” said Disneyland Workers Rising in a statement. “We stood up to the company’s unfair labor practices and showed them that we were willing to do whatever it took to get the contract we deserved. Our solidarity and victory today sends a message to workers everywhere – when we fight, we win.”
The unions involved in the negotiation represent 14,000 cast members at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and the Disney hotels. Employees who perform as characters, and dance in the parades, the hosts, leads, and trainers were not involved. Those cast members voted to unionize with the Actors’ Equity Association back in May.
This deal does include custodians, ride operators, candy makers, merchandise clerks, and my other park roles. The unions involved include the 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.
“We are pleased that our cast members approved the new agreements, which, along with all we offer as part of our employment experience, demonstrate how much we value them and our profound commitment to their overall well-being,” Disneyland officials said in a statement.
