NEWS: Disney Cast Members Vote to Authorize Strike

Disney Cast Members are a huge part of what makes Disney Parks so special, and they ARE the magic.

For the past few years, Cast Members in both Disney World and Disneyland have been engaged in contract battles with The Walt Disney Company over low wages, as well as other issues. Recently, Disneyland Cast Members have been negotiating their contracts with Disney and have now authorized a strike.

According to ABC 7, Disneyland Cast Members have voted to authorize a strike as they continue contract negotiations with The Walt Disney Company. The authorization to strike was approved by 99% of the thousands of members who cast votes, including members from four separate unions representing Disney ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers, ticket takers, parking attendants, and more.

“We make Disneyland the place for family vacations, birthdays, and celebrations,” the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee said in a statement. “We make the theme parks’ profits and the magic you find across the resort. But instead of rewarding our hard work and dedication, Disney is intimidating, surveilling, and unlawfully disciplining members, harming our negotiations and our ability to get the contract we deserve.”

This does not necessarily mean that Cast Members will strike, but it does mean that union leaders have the option to call a strike if they can’t negotiate a new contract with Disney. Union leaders and Disney will return to negotiations on Monday. Negotiations revolve around wage increases, safety measures, attendance policies, and benefits.

Additionally, Disneyland Cast Members who work as character performers and live entertainers filed a petition to unionize in April 2024. This group is hoping to gain “improved health and safety standards, flexible PTO, fair schedules, job security, and greater involvement in workplace discussions,” according to a Cast Member statement made at the time.

We’ll keep an eye on the situation in Disneyland and keep you updated. In the meantime, check back with AllEars again soon for more.