Thousands of Disneyland workers have voted to authorize a strike, signaling widespread dissatisfaction among employees over alleged unfair labor practices during ongoing contract negotiations.
This move, backed by an overwhelming majority, highlights the growing tensions between Disneyland and its workforce, which includes custodians, ride operators, candymakers, and merchandise clerks.
The authorization to strike, announced by four unions representing over 14,000 workers at Disney’s Southern California theme parks and resorts, doesn’t mean an immediate walkout will occur. Negotiations are still scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, leaving room for a potential resolution. However, if a strike does happen, it would be Disneyland’s first in 40 years.
Union Members’ Overwhelming Vote
Union representatives stated that 99% of participating members voted in favor of the strike authorization. The unions have been in talks with Disney since April 24, citing economic hardships like food and housing insecurity as key issues. They also allege that Disney has engaged in unfair labor practices, including unlawful discipline, intimidation, and surveillance of union members.
The unions’ complaints, which involves more than 675 workers, are currently being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board, which oversees labor law enforcement.
Disneyland Resort spokesperson Jessica Good described the strike authorization as a common step in the bargaining process, expressing the company’s commitment to reaching a favorable agreement. She highlighted the vital role of cast members in creating memorable experiences for guests and emphasized the importance of their contribution to Disneyland’s growth and job creation.
Economic Insecurity Among Workers
The labor dispute centers on issues of economic insecurity among Disneyland workers. A 2018 report by Occidental College and the Economic Roundtable found that 74% of Disneyland employees struggled to cover basic expenses. More recent union surveys reveal that:
- 28% of cast members experienced food insecurity
- 33% faced housing insecurity
- 42% had to miss work for medical treatment due to insufficient sick leave
- 64% of cast members reportedly spend more than half their monthly paychecks on rent
One such worker, Cynthia “Cyn” Carranza, a custodian at Disneyland, recounted living in her car with her two dogs due to unaffordable housing costs. Earning $20.65 an hour, she struggled to find stable housing in Southern California, where rent averages over $2,000 a month. Carranza now shares a small apartment with her boyfriend but still finds it challenging to make ends meet.
Similarly, L Slaughter, a host at Disneyland’s Toontown, lived in her car for two years while working at the park. Despite now having a small apartment, Slaughter continues to struggle with rising rent costs, which recently increased by $200. According to a living wage calculator built by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a single person with no children would need to earn $30.48 an hour to afford living near Disneyland in Orange County.
The unions involved in this labor fight include:
- Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83
- Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW)
- Teamsters Local 495
- United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324
The current contract for Disneyland cast members expired on June 16, while the contract for Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney employees will expire on September 30.
Disneyland last faced a strike in September 1984, when nearly 2,000 cast members walked off the job for 22 days. The workers’ bargaining committee has stated that while they are committed to continuing negotiations, the strike authorization allows them to call a strike at any time.
Featured Image courtesy of FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
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