Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Business

Disneyland strike averted as unions agree tentative deal

Hundreds of Disneyland employees gathered for a protest in a parking lot outside the Disneyland theme parks in Anaheim, a suburb of Los Angeles
Hundreds of Disneyland employees gathered for a protest in a parking lot outside the Disneyland theme parks in Anaheim, a suburb of Los Angeles - Copyright AFP/File Frederic J. Brown
Hundreds of Disneyland employees gathered for a protest in a parking lot outside the Disneyland theme parks in Anaheim, a suburb of Los Angeles - Copyright AFP/File Frederic J. Brown

Unions representing Disneyland theme park employees in California reached a tentative deal with the company on Wednesday, averting a major strike at the “happiest place on Earth.”

The unions, which represent some 14,000 Disneyland Resort employees, had been in negotiations with the giant entertainment company over wage increases and other benefits since April.

“We are proud to announce we have reached a tentative agreement with Disney that we will recommend to our fellow cast members,” said a statement from organizers, using a term for Disneyland employees.

After last year’s writers and actors strike paralyzed Hollywood, another major labor movement within Disney would have been historic.

Employees at its California theme parks have not gone on strike since 1984, according to the Los Angeles Times.

But their grievances included low wages and allegations of intimidation used by managers, prompting a complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board.

The union claims that over 500 employees have been reprimanded, threatened or warned about disciplinary action for wearing a union pin, which depicts a Mickey Mouse glove raised in the shape of a fist. 

Last week, hundreds of Disneyland employees protested outside the theme parks in Anaheim, a suburb of Los Angeles. Some 99 percent of members voted in favor of the strike authorization.

“We have shown Disney that we are the true magic makers of the park and today proves that when workers stand together for what they deserve, we win,” said the unions’ statement.

The deal includes a three-year contract with “significant wage increases for all cast members, seniority increases and the retention of premiums.” 

It also addresses “issues that will make the attendance policy work better for cast members,” said a statement from the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

The tentative agreement still requires approval from union members, who will vote on Monday.

Disney confirmed the agreement in a statement Wednesday.

“We care deeply about the wellbeing of our cast members and are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement… that addresses what matters most to our cast while positioning Disneyland Resort for future growth and job creation,” it said.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Business

The latest negotiations over European Union tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles ended in Brussels with "major differences" remaining.

Tech & Science

Elon Musk's X. — © AFPX was “alert” to any platform manipulation attempts, the Elon Musk-owned site told AFP Friday, following a report that...

Social Media

TikTok teams identified harmful effects of its platform on young users but limited preventive measures so as to avoid a drop in traffic.

Entertainment

Broadway performer Chilina Kennedy ("Beautiful") chatted about being a part of "The Great Gatsby" and her new album "Wild About You."