Disneyland Parade and Character Workers Plan Unionization

In a move that could reshape the labor landscape at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, over 1,700 characters and parade cast members have announced their intention to unionize. This decision comes as a response to concerns regarding wages, working conditions, and scheduling practices at the renowned theme park.

The group, which includes dancers, movie character look-alikes, schedulers, and other staff from the park’s character and parade departments, is seeking better wages, safer working conditions, and an improved scheduling system. They argue that their wages should be increased to counteract inflation and the high cost of living in Orange County, where Disneyland is located.

One of the key issues highlighted by the workers is the lack of guaranteed raises over time. They are also calling for increased sick time, stricter rules regarding costume sharing, more transparency in work scheduling, and a direct line of communication to management. The workers have organized themselves under the name “Magic United” and intend to unionize with the Actors’ Equity Association, a labor union representing theatrical performers.

Actors’ Equity Association President Kate Shindle expressed support for the workers, stating that unionization would ensure they benefit from the significant revenue generated by Disney’s experiences division. Disney recently reported record revenue and operating income of $9.1 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively, from its experiences division, driven in part by increased revenue from international theme parks.

Once a majority of the 1,700 workers have signed union authorization cards, the Actors’ Equity Association will be able to request recognition for Magic United from Disney. The association expects that Magic United will be recognized as a union within a month or two, depending on how quickly cast members sign and submit union authorization cards.

It’s worth noting that most of Disneyland’s employees are already unionized. The California park was the second-most visited theme park worldwide in 2022, with 16.8 million visitors. Despite this, Disney reported in its latest earnings report that revenue growth at Disneyland in the first quarter was largely offset by increased costs, attributed to attendance growth, higher costs due to inflation, and increased guest spending, mainly driven by higher average ticket prices.

The decision by Disneyland’s characters and parade cast members to unionize reflects a broader trend of workers across various industries seeking to improve their working conditions and wages. As negotiations between Magic United and Disney unfold, the outcome could have significant implications not only for the workers involved but also for the wider labor landscape at Disneyland and beyond.