Disneyland Workers May Vote to Strike Next Week
Another Disney park may be shutting down soon. USA Today reports that 14,000 Disneyland cast members belonging to a union called Disney Workers Rising will vote next week on whether or not to strike. Essentially, they want more money, claiming they can barely make ends meet anymore – one member says she has had to live in her car at times. According to the bargaining committee, the union members are alleging “hundreds of labor violations by Disney throughout negotiations… including unlawful discipline and intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work.” The buttons in question have the symbol of the union on them: a Mickey Mouse glove clenched in a fist. Negotiations with Disney have been ongoing since April, but the union claims they’ve been slow, and the parties have made no progress.
If this strike goes forward, Disneyland would have to close; there’s no way they can lose 14,000 workers and still operate. And this would hurt Disney, as it’s… you know… summer, the peak theme park season. If what the employees are saying is true, I don’t blame them for trying to get more money. I agree with Disney about the buttons, though; you can’t work at a theme park where you’re supposed to be entertaining kids and walk around with a political button with Mickey Mouse on it. The other thing to consider is whether Disney can even afford to pay their workers more; their stock price is down, the parks are taking a pounding, and the movie business is only now slightly recovering, which is likely a short bump rather than a rejuvenation. That isn’t meant to take Disney’s side, just to observe that, despite being a fair request from the union, Disney may not be able to fulfill it even if they want to. But if they don’t want Disneyland to shut down in the summer while Disney World is struggling to get even annual passholders to show up and is closing several stores and attractions for refurbishment, they may have to shake the couch cushions and rustle up some change.
For more on Disneyland, Disney World, and other theme parks, check out Park Hoppin’ on YouTube!
