Over 1,000 Disney Cast Members Rally Outside Disneyland Main Entrance Ahead of ULP Strike Authorization Vote
Disney Workers Rising
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2024
Contact: Jenna Thompson, 949.246.1620, jthompson@ufcw324.org
(SEIU-USWW) Sebastian Silva, 619.754.3350, sebastian.silva@seiu-usww.org
(SEIU-USWW) Maria Elena Jauregui, Spanish-language, 818.355.5291
Over 1,000 Disney Cast Members Rally Outside Disneyland Main Entrance Ahead of ULP Strike Authorization Vote
Strike Authorization Vote To Be Held Two Days Later Following Unfair Labor Practice Charges Alleging Hundreds of Instances of Unlawful Conduct by Disney During Contract Negotiations
Pictures/Videos of the rally can be found here: Disney Rally 7.17.24
Anaheim, CA – On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, over 1,000 cast members represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83, SEIU-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), Teamsters Local 495 and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324, rallied outside the main entrance to Disneyland Resort two days prior to holding a vote to authorize an Unfair Labor Practice strike. The strike authorization vote follows unfair labor practices alleging over 650 labor violations by Disney throughout negotiations that have interfered with the Unions getting the fair contract cast members deserve.
“Cast members are scared of being retaliated against by Disney for their union activity and that’s preventing us from getting a contract that pays us living wages,” said Ginny Cristales, a retail cast member at the Emporium/Candy Palace. “This rally today, on Disneyland’s birthday, shows Disney that even though we’re scared, we’re going to stand up and do what it takes. We make the magic happen. We are why Disneyland can celebrate its birthday today. And we need a fair contract that respects us and our work.”
The 14,000 workers of Disney’s largest bargaining unit in California – represent a diverse set of classifications from custodians and ride operators to candy makers and merchandise clerks – entered into negotiations with the company on April 24, 2024, and are fighting for fair wages, a fair attendance policy, seniority increases and safe parks for cast members and guests.
“Union members at Disneyland create the magic every day. These workers deserve fair treatment,” said Damascus Castellanos, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 495. “Disney is a corporation with a market cap of over $174 billion. There is no justification, other than pure greed, to deny these workers fair pay and good working conditions.”
In June, Disney cast members announced that they filed unfair labor practice charges against Disney on behalf of 14,000 workers at the resort for unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work. The charges relate to over 675 cast members whom the Unions maintain have been intimidated, surveilled and disciplined for wearing union buttons in support of their contract campaign. The charges are currently being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.
“We’re 400 Disney cast members rising up today to show Disney that we deserve better from this company,” said Dee Dee Miranda, a candy maker at Disneyland and member of bargaining committee. “We’re make the magic for guests. We are the ones to provide them with a once in a lifetime experience. It’s time for Disney to value what we do.”
While Disneyland brands itself as “The Happiest Place on Earth” the reality for park employees is largely one of economic hardship. According to a survey, 73% of the cast members that make these profits possible report they do not earn enough money to cover basic expenses each month. A separate survey of cast members this year found that:
- Nearly three in 10 cast members (28%) report experiencing food insecurity
- 64% of cast members are “rent burdened” or spending more than half of their monthly paychecks on rent
- 33% of cast members experienced housing insecurity in the past year
- 42% of cast members had to miss work for medical treatment because they didn’t have enough sick leave
“We are standing together today to demand jobs with dignity and livable wages,” said Corina Ortega, Disneyland custodian, shop steward and bargaining committee member. “We, the essential workers at Disney, are the true Magic makers — not the corporate executives. It’s unjust that the lowest-paid cast member would have to work 550 years straight without a day off to make what Disney CEO Bob Iger makes in one year. We’re fighting to ensure the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ pays livable wages and treats workers fairly, so that this job doesn’t become a nightmare. Cast members are not afraid to stand up and demand what is just because we are stronger together.”
The contract for cast members at Disneyland expired June 16, 2024. The contract for Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney cast members expires September 30, 2024.
The results of the Unfair Labor Practice strike authorization vote are expected to be announced by July 20 after voting ends and the Unions have notified cast members.
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