LOS ANGELES — Four unions representing more than 14,000 workers at Disney’s theme parks and resorts in Southern California announced late Friday that their members had voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike over alleged unfair labor practices during contract negotiations.
The union announced that thousands of workers at Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, the Downtown Disney shopping district and Disney-owned hotels have authorized the strike.
The authorization does not mean a strike is imminent, and the two sides could reach an agreement to avoid a strike, which would be the first at Disneyland in 40 years.
The number of employees who voted was not made public, but the union said 99 percent of its members who participated voted to authorize the strike.
“This vote shows that Cast Members can’t take it anymore!” Aaron Zarate, a Disneyland candy maker and member of the workers’ bargaining committee, said in a statement.
The union has been negotiating since April 24, citing members’ economic hardship, including food and housing insecurity.
Disneyland Resort spokeswoman Jessica Good said the authorization of a strike is “not unusual” during the bargaining process, noting that talks are still scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
“We deeply appreciate the important role our Cast Members play in providing memorable experiences for our Guests and remain committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them, while also growing the Disneyland Resort and creating jobs,” Good said.
The employees at the center of the labor dispute include custodians, ride operators, candy makers and merchandise sellers at the popular theme park and resort complex that is a mainstay of Southern California’s tourism economy.
Workers entered contract negotiations with the entertainment giant on April 24. Nearly two months later, on June 10, Disney workers announced they had filed an unfair labor practice lawsuit against the company.
The allegations, involving more than 675 workers, are currently being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board, an independent federal agency that enforces labor laws.
“Instead of working with us toward a fair contract, Disney has engaged in multiple actions that we allege are unfair labor practices, including unlawful discipline and the intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear their union flag buttons at work,” the Disney Workers Uprising Negotiating Committee said in a statement ahead of the vote.
“We know that these actions are merely an attempt to prevent us from exercising our rights and to impose on us a contract that perpetuates the Disney status quo,” the negotiating committee added.
The union button in question features a Mickey Mouse-style white glove with a raised fist.
Good said the costumes worn by performers are “an important element in enhancing the experience of a Disney show.”
“Any unauthorized buttons, pins, stickers worn by performers or anything else that distracts from the show or storyline will be addressed by leadership,” she said.
In recent years, labor scholars have drawn public attention to the economic plight of employees at Disneyland and the nation’s other major theme parks.
For example, in early 2018, researchers from Occidental College and the nonprofit research organization Economic Roundtable wrote: The report was released The report found that 74% of Disneyland employees are unable to cover basic monthly expenses, and surveyed employees who experienced homelessness, food insecurity and other hardships.
An internal survey of union members conducted earlier this year found that 28% of Disneyland cast members reported experiencing food insecurity, 33% reported experiencing housing insecurity in the past year, and 42% reported having to take time off work for treatment because they didn’t have enough sick leave.
In announcing the strike authorization, the union said 64% of cast members spend more than half their monthly salary on rent.
The four unions representing the workers are Baker, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Milling Workers (BCTGM) Local 83, Service Employees International Union-Service Workers of the West (SEIU-USWW), Teamsters Local 495, and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324.
Disneyland cast members’ contracts ended June 16. Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney cast members’ contracts end September 30.
The last time Disneyland was hit by a strike was in September 1984, when about 2,000 cast members walked out. I was off work for 22 days..
Disney’s labor negotiating committee said it would negotiate on Monday and Tuesday but said a strike authorization allows it to call a walkout at any time.
