Unionization efforts have been gaining momentum across the entertainment industry, with significant successes at Disney.
In 2023, VFX artists from several in-house teams, including those working on the MCU and the Avatar franchise, successfully unionized.
This trend has now extended to Disney’s theme park business.
Landslide Victory for Disneyland Performers
On Saturday night, an election concluded for Disneyland resort actors to be represented by the Actors’ Equity Association. Out of 1,700 eligible employees, a significant 79% voted in favor of unionization.
The final tally showed 953 votes in favor and 258 against. With this landslide victory, the regional director of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is expected to certify the results within a week, barring any challenges.
Equity’s Expanded Representation
The Actors’ Equity Association already represents performers and stage managers at Walt Disney World’s Orlando resort, Disney Theatricals on Broadway, and other national tours.
However, Disneyland’s Characters and Parades departments were not unionized until this recent vote.
This unionization effort emerged from performers’ concerns about health and safety during the pandemic, as well as wages not keeping pace with the high cost of living in Southern California.
Performers highlighted these issues by sharing videos of their poor working conditions, such as uncomfortable costumes and rigid work policies.
Magic United’s Priorities
Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity, outlined the priorities for the newly formed workers group, Magic United.
The first order of business is to negotiate improved health and safety protocols, wages, bonuses, and overall working conditions. “These workers are on the front lines of the guest experience,” Shindle stated.
“They create lifelong memories when your kids hug a character or when your family watches a parade roll by the castle. We’re excited about the next phase and will meet with representatives of the Walt Disney Company to negotiate those priorities into a first contract.”
Support and Optimism
Shindle also emphasized the performers’ dedication to both their union and Disney. “This is an incredible victory, and we appreciate all the support over the past several weeks,” she continued.
“These cast members are both pro-union and pro-Disney, and they’re looking forward to meeting with their employer across the bargaining table in a good faith effort to make both the work experience and the guest experience better.
They say that Disneyland is ‘the place where dreams come true,’ and for the Disney cast members who have worked to organize a union, their dream came true today.”
A New Era for Disneyland Performers
With this successful unionization vote, Disneyland’s Characters and Parade performers are set to begin a new chapter.
The unionization not only marks a significant milestone for the performers but also signals a broader shift towards improved working conditions and fair compensation within the entertainment industry.
As negotiations with Disney commence, there is a sense of optimism and determination among the newly unionized workers to achieve their goals and enhance the overall experience for both employees and guests.
