Workers at Disneyland Resort’s Southern California theme parks, including those who portray iconic Disney characters and perform in parades, have voted to join the Actors Equity Association. In a National Labor Relations Board vote, 79% of cast members at Disneyland Resort voted to join Equity, with 953 in favor and 258 against. The vote is expected to be certified within a week, and the next step is to collaborate with workers to improve health and safety, wages, benefits, working conditions, and job security through negotiated priorities in a first contract with the Walt Disney Company.
Equity already represents character performers at Walt Disney World in Orlando and those with Disney on Broadway. Most of the more than 35,000 workers at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim already have unions, but parade and character workers who announced their plans to unionize in February were previously non-union employees. Disneyland Resort workers who portray characters have been non-union since the park’s opening in 1955. Disney operates two theme parks in Anaheim – Disneyland and Disney California Adventure – along with Downtown Disney, a shopping and entertainment area. Disneyland, the company’s oldest park, was the world’s second-most visited theme park in 2022, hosting 16.8 million people.
The decision to unionize comes as a means to address safety concerns, scheduling issues, and other workplace issues for parade and character workers at Disneyland Resort. The unionization effort by these workers is a significant step towards improving working conditions and securing better benefits for the workers. The collaboration between Equity and the workers will focus on negotiating priorities into a first contract with the Walt Disney Company to ensure fair treatment and improved conditions for the cast members. Founded in 1913, Equity represents more than 51,000 actors and stage managers nationwide and is dedicated to advocating for the rights of workers in the entertainment industry.
The vote to join Actors Equity Association is a significant victory for workers at Disneyland Resort and marks a new chapter in their efforts to secure better working conditions and benefits. With the support of Equity, the workers will have a stronger voice in negotiating with the company to address their concerns and improve their overall workplace environment. The unionization of parade and character workers at Disneyland Resort reflects a growing trend of workers in the entertainment industry advocating for fair treatment and better working conditions. This decision signifies a positive step towards ensuring that all workers, including those who portray iconic Disney characters, have a voice and representation in their workplace.
As the process of certification moves forward, workers at Disneyland Resort can expect to see positive changes and improvements in their working conditions and benefits. The collaboration between Equity, the workers, and the Walt Disney Company will set the stage for constructive negotiations that prioritize the well-being and rights of the cast members at Disneyland Resort. The decision to unionize is a testament to the collective strength and determination of the workers to stand up for their rights and demand fair treatment. By joining Actors Equity Association, parade and character workers at Disneyland Resort have taken an important step towards creating a more equitable and supportive work environment for all employees in the entertainment industry.
