ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Disneyland performers who help bring Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and other beloved characters to life at the Southern California resort are in the midst of a three-day voting culmination Saturday. After that, they decided to form a labor union.
The Actors Equity Association union said in a statement Saturday that cast members in the parade and character departments at Disney’s theme parks near Los Angeles have won by a wide margin to the union to become the bargaining agent for a group of about 1,700 workers. He announced that he had voted in favor.
The association’s website, which tracks performers’ votes, showed it passed with 78.7% (953 votes) in favor and 21.3% (258 votes) against.
“Disneyland is said to be a place where dreams come true, and today was a dream come true for Disney cast members who have been working hard to unionize,” Actors Equity Association President Kate Shindle said Saturday night. said in a statement.
Shingle called employees the “front line” of Disneyland’s guest experience. The Association and Cast Members negotiate staff priorities with representatives from The Walt Disney Company and discuss improvements to health and safety, wages, benefits, working conditions, and job security before signing contracts. She said they plan to discuss it.
The union already represents theatrical performers at Disney parks in Florida.
If there are no objections to the election, the regional director of the National Labor Relations Board will certify the results within a week, the association said.
The NLRB did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking confirmation or additional information about the vote.
Elections were held Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday in Anaheim, Calif., after workers turned in their cards earlier this year to form a unit called “Magic United.”
Parade and character employees who pushed to unionize say they love helping create magical experiences at Disneyland, but after returning to work during the coronavirus pandemic, they’re worried about their interactions with visitors. He said he had concerns when he was asked to resume hugging. Additionally, complicated costumes and irregular schedules can lead to injuries.
Most of the Disneyland Resort’s more than 35,000 employees, including cleaners, fireworks experts and security staff, are already unionized. The resort includes Disneyland, the Walt Disney Company’s oldest theme park, as well as Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney, Anaheim’s shopping and entertainment district.
In recent years, Disney has faced challenges such as: suspicion It’s because they don’t pay a living wage to Southern California workers who often face exorbitant housing costs, commute long distances, and cram into cramped quarters. The base pay for parade performers and character actors is $24.15 an hour, up from $20 an hour before January, with premiums added based on the role.
The number of union members is decades of decline In the United States, public support for organizations has increased in recent years. eye-catching Contract negotiations involving a Hollywood studio and a Las Vegas hotel. The NLRB, which protects workers’ right to organize, reported more than 2,500 applications for union representation during fiscal year 2023, the highest number in eight years.
Efforts to organize character and parade performers in California began more than 40 years after the International Brotherhood organized people to play Mickey, Goofy and Donald Duck in Florida. teamstertraditionally known as the union representing transportation workers.
At the time, the Florida cast complained of filthy costumes and mistreatment from guests, including children who kicked Disney villains such as Captain Hook in the shins.
