Four unions representing 14,000 cast members at the Disneyland Resort held a protest on the Anaheim theme park’s anniversary on Wednesday ahead of a planned strike vote.
Disneyland union employees rallied outside the park’s entrance to support union contract negotiations seeking fair wages, safety improvements and more.
Union members set up a sound system outside the Disneyland security checkpoint and delivered speeches while guests entered and exited the theme park, according to the Orange County Register.
The rally later moved to Harbor Boulevard, where union members chanted, “If we don’t get it, shut it down.” Some Disneyland visitors posted videos of the rally on social media.
Master Services Council, which represents 14,000 Disneyland employees from four unions, plans to hold a strike authorization vote on Friday.
Voting results are expected to be announced by Saturday.
The unions involved are the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 83, the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West, the Teamsters Local 495 and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324.
“Negotiations between Disneyland Resort and Master Services Council — which represents four major unions and nearly 14,000 cast members at Disneyland Resort including: Attractions, Candy Makers, Costuming, Custodial, Main Entrance, Parking, Resort Transportation, Store Operations, Team Centers, and Anaheim Distribution Center — began in late April 2024 with continued conversations taking place throughout the last few months. The official Disneyland Park Master Services Council contract expired on June 16, with Master Services Council declining to enter into a contract extension,” Disneyland Resort officials previously told KTLA in a statement.
“We respect and value our cast members and recognize the important role they play in creating happiness for our guests. With the next meeting scheduled for July 22, we remain committed to continuing discussions and to reaching an agreement with the Master Services Council that focuses on what matters most to our current cast members, helps us attract new cast, and positions Disneyland Resort for growth and the creation of more jobs.”
Disneyland Resort previously shared with KTLA that starting rates for positions range from $19.90 to $25 an hour and that the resort offers a “robust” benefits package and additional resources for cast members.
In May, the union representatives said they filed unfair labor practice charges against Disney on behalf of the 14,000 cast members for “unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work.”
The National Labor Relations Board is currently investigating the charges.
The latest strike authorization comes during Disneyland’s busy summer season and after Disneyland cast members, particularly those who work in the resort’s Characters and Parades departments, announced their intent to unionize in February.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Disney theme park workers haven’t walked off the job since a 22-day strike in 1984.