The workers who play characters like Goofy and Mickey Mouse and cheer and dance in Disneyland parades have taken a step forward in their push to unionize with Actors Equity.
Actors Equity President Kate Shindle announced Wednesday at a news conference in Anaheim that a group of organizers seeking representation for 1,700 employees has filed a union election petition with the National Labor Relations Board. Shindle said the “vast majority” of eligible employees have signed union recognition cards and support the move to be represented by Actors Equity in collective bargaining. In addition to the performers, the group, dubbed Magic United, includes staff members who help facilitate interactions between the character performers and the park patrons and trainers they work with.
“These performers and the hosts, leads and trainers who create magic with them know that their lives and the guest experience at Disneyland can be improved through collective bargaining,” Shindle said in a statement. “They deserve a voice in the workplace and meaningful negotiations over wages, benefits and working conditions,” she said at a news conference Wednesday. “We are confident they will prevail.” he added.
On Tuesday, the union announced that the Walt Disney Company had been informed of the number of character and parade employees who had signed union cards and was asked to voluntarily recognize the group. The union said it has not yet received a response from the company.
Asked for comment, Disney officials said in a statement: “We support the cast’s right to a secret ballot that recognizes their individual choices.”
Driven by unions, workers are seeking higher wages (according to Actors’ Equity, the minimum wage for parades and cast members is $24.15 an hour, with additional compensation included for certain roles), workplace safety and health. We are asking for a change in schedule to address your concerns. Health insurance is easier to implement and secure. (Disneyland’s hourly non-union employees typically receive annual raises and medical benefits if they qualify as full-time employees.)
During the press conference, the workers spoke specifically about their problems. Mai Vo, one of the characters department employees, hugs a park user in April 2022 after practicing social distancing for a period of time during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained that he was asked to return to a regular “social gathering.” “This has caused fear among staff. I was personally told that I could quit if I didn’t like it or move to another department. COVID-19 safety concerns. The willful disregard for it made us feel like we were just a number,” she said. Three employees described the safety risks posed by certain costumes at Disneyland, with one citing “permanent injuries” sustained by co-workers as a result. Entertainment host Angela Nichols cited “punitive and confusing sick time policies” and said that when it comes to diversity and inclusion, “there has been no consistent or inclusive change in the entertainment sector… “The majority of cast members continue to have less job security than the rest of the cast.” ”
During the press conference, Actors Equity President Shindle reiterated his call for Disney to voluntarily recognize the group. “What performers want more of is a reduction in the $60 billion bucket we have committed to investing in experiences over the next few years,” Shindle said in a message to the company.