More than 1,700 Disneyland Resort cast members voted to unionize under Actors’ Equity Association after a three-day voting process last week. This included employees who dress up as iconic Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Snow White, and Captain Hook. The vote was described as a “landslide victory,” with 953 cast members in favor of unionization and 258 opposed. The next steps include contract negotiations with The Walt Disney Company to improve health and safety, wages, benefits, working conditions, and job security.
The union organizing effort for Disneyland Resort cast members began in February, leading to a vote being filed with the National Labor Relations Board in April. This move seeks to address the needs of workers who are on the front lines of the guest experience, creating lifelong memories for visitors. The unionization effort is part of a larger trend among workers seeking better employment benefits, with more than a dozen unions already representing over 21,000 Disneyland “cast member” employees, including those in retail, food service, security, pyrotechnics, and hair and makeup.
Actors’ Equity Association President Kate Shindle emphasized the important role that these workers play in creating a memorable experience for guests and expressed a desire to collaborate with them on improving various aspects of their employment. The labor relations board is expected to certify the results of the vote soon, after which contract negotiations will begin. While it is unclear how long this bargaining process will take, Equity highlighted Disney’s relatively cooperative attitude throughout the process and expressed optimism about establishing a productive relationship with the company.
Disneyland Resort has not yet commented on the unionization vote as the election results have yet to be officially certified. A spokesperson for the resort stated that they respect the opportunity for cast members to have their voices heard, regardless of the outcome. In contrast, Disney World character actors have been represented by Teamsters since the 1980s, with over 400 actors, stunt performers, and singers unionizing under Equity in 1990. Today, Equity estimates that they represent around 800 cast members at Disney World, showcasing the ongoing efforts to secure better employment benefits for theme park workers across the country.
