Last week a strike was authorized by Disney park and resort workers, but recent negotiations have sidestepped a potential worker stoppage at one of the world’s biggest entertainment companies.
An Agreement Reached
Disneyland employees have reached an agreement with Walt Disney Co., just days after voting to authorize a strike at Disneyland theme parks and resorts across the U.S.
Disney Workers Rising
The Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee, which entered negotiations with Disney on April 24, confirmed the agreement in a public statement, with “significant” advances made in improving labor conditions for Disneyland and resort workers.
Achieving Goals, Addressing Issues
“We achieved our goals — a three-year contract that contains significant wage increases for all cast members, seniority increases, and the retention of premiums,” the statement reads. “We also addressed issues that will make the attendance policy work better for cast members.”
Thousands of Workers Will Remain
This means that thousands of workers who voted to authorize a strike late last week will no longer walk out of the workplace.
40 Years Since Last Walkout
If negotiations had broken down and a strike had been approved, it would have been the first walkout at Disneyland in more than 40 years.
Disney Responds
Disney responded to the announcement via Disneyland spokesperson Jessica Good, who expressed the company’s momentary satisfaction with the deal.
“Pleased to Reach a Tentative Agreement”
“We care deeply about the well-being of our cast members and are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with Master Services Council that addresses what matters most to our cast while positioning Disneyland Resort for future growth and job creation,” she said.
14,000 Workers Represented
More than 14,000 workers employed at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and Disney-owned hotels, are represented by 4 separate unions. Those unions have been represented by the Master Services Council and the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee during the last three months of negotiations.
Various Departments Included
The four unions stand for employees across various departments at Disney theme parks and resorts, including Attractions, Resort Transportation, Store Operations, Team Centers, Distribution Centers, and more.
“The True Magic Makers”
“We have shown Disney that we are the true magic makers of the park,” the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee continued in its statement.
Making Their Voices Heard
“Today proves that when workers stand together for what they deserve, we win. We look forward to making our voices heard during the voting process to ratify this contract,” the statement concluded.
Details Undisclosed
Union workers will vote to ratify the agreement on Monday. Until then, the exact details of the agreement will remain undisclosed to the public.
A Relief for Workers
The agreement will likely come as a relief to many Disneyland workers who have been trying to draw attention to the issues they experience in the workplace, including low wages and harsh workplace policies that allegedly violate labor laws and union agreements.
Underpaid Workers
One Disney workers union, the UFCW Local 324, shared details of a Disneyland worker’s survey, which showed that a shocking 73% of Disney cast members do not earn enough money to cover their basic monthly expenses.
Food and Housing Insecurity
Many workers have struggled with food and housing insecurity, while others have had to juggle multiple jobs and live out of their cars just to stay afloat and support their families.
Pushing for More
The ongoing negotiations have seen unions push for wage increases, more reasonable attendance policies, and safer working conditions across parks, resorts, and hotels owned by the entertainment giant.
Protests in Anaheim
Most of these locations are located in Anaheim, Orange County. Last week hundreds of workers rallied outside the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, to protest in support of the ongoing labor negotiations.
Protest Slogans
Workers touted signs emblazoned with slogans that read “Mickey Would Want Fair Pay!” and “Magic Doesn’t Pay the Bills.”
Charges Filed Last Month
The negotiations and strike authorization vote have also been connected to a charge that the Master Services Council filed with the National Labor Relations Board last month, which accused Disney of threatening union members with disciplinary action for weaning union pins in the workplace.
Dress Code or Labor Violation?
Disney claimed that the pins violated the staff dress code, but the council maintained that wearing them in the workplace is a protected form of union activity.
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