Anaheim, California
CNN
—
Disneyland staff who carry out as lots of the theme park’s beloved characters have filed to have a vote on whether or not to hitch the Actors’ Fairness Affiliation, which represents reside performers all around the nation, from actors on Broadway to strippers in Los Angeles.
The group had introduced a union organizing effort in February, however fairly often such campaigns fall in need of submitting to carry a vote. However the union introduced Wednesday that it has filed playing cards signed by greater than two-thirds of the 1,700 staff, looking for to have the Nationwide Labor Relations Board conduct an election.
“The solid members who convey the characters and parades to life have been non-union since Disneyland Resort opened within the Fifties and have watched different staff within the park unionize throughout them,” mentioned Fairness President Kate Shindle, utilizing the “solid members” phrases used at Disney to confer with its staff.
Union organizing efforts have picked up within the final yr, particularly within the wake of quite a few high-profile contract wins by unions that supplied union members with giant pay raises. Included in these wins had been contracts overlaying 32,000 hourly staff at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, which gave them raises equal to $3 an hour by the tip of final yr and raises of about 37% over their earlier hourly price by 2026.
There are greater than 21,000 Disneyland “solid member” staff, who’re represented by greater than a dozen unions. These unionized jobs embrace every little thing from retail and meals service staff to safety guards, hair and make-up artists and pyrotechnic staff. Nevertheless it doesn’t embrace the performers who gown up as characters reminiscent of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck or Goofy and work together with guests. Staff performing in the identical roles are unionized at another Disney theme parks, reminiscent of Disney World.
“These performers, and the hosts, leads and trainers who create magic alongside them, know that their lives — in addition to the visitor expertise at Disneyland — may be improved by way of collective bargaining,” she mentioned. “They deserve a voice of their office, and significant negotiations over wages, advantages and dealing circumstances.”
Disney didn’t have a direct touch upon the submitting. However requested earlier within the week concerning the organizing marketing campaign, an organization spokesperson mentioned: “We help our solid members’ proper to a confidential vote that acknowledges their particular person decisions.”
The perfomers within the proposed bargaining unit simply noticed their pay raised to $24.15 an hour from $20 an hour in January, a 20.8% increase. These raises got here after the organizing effort was already underway, even when it had not but been publicly introduced.
However Disney’s labor market within the state is shifting, as California fast food workers simply had their minimal wage elevated to $20 an hour beneath state regulation, so the earlier wage ranges had been probably now not aggressive.
A number of of the workers who spoke with CNN forward of Wednesday’s announcement mentioned that even the brand new increased pay stage continues to be not a livable wage in Southern California, on condition that lots of the staff work solely half time.
Mai Vo, who’s what Disney calls a “look-alike” performer, somebody who performs roles along with her face exhibiting, like Disney “Princesses,” is at the moment residing at her mom’s residence close to Disneyland. Vo mentioned it’s tough for solid members to afford residing on their very own, and lots of have roommates.
Zach Elefante, a parade performer, mentioned many performers can lose paid hours if unhealthy climate emerges, with choices on cancellations typically made with simply minutes earlier than showtime.
However Elefante took pains to say the employees usually are not basically at odds with their employer.
Elefante mentioned they “need to have the ability to work with the resort to let folks not be in concern of paying their lease as a result of it began raining.”
Elefante and different Disney solid members say they’ve a deep, emotional connection to the exhibits they carry out in, figuring out that they get to make a narrative come to life in entrance of individuals younger and outdated. Regardless of that, he mentioned they really feel disposable — and never listened to.
Union supporters additionally discuss well being and security issues, reminiscent of issues concerning the designs of the heavy costumes many put on, and about interacting with the parks’ guests within the wake of the pandemic.
Vo mentioned she remembers being troubled by a co-worker struggling for months with foot ache as a result of a fancy dress’s footwear, which are sometimes shared amongst staff.
“Perhaps issues weren’t good on the Happiest Place on Earth, as a result of it felt like my colleagues within the division had been sad, and it didn’t make sense to me,” she mentioned.
Elefante additionally described two colleagues who raised points with the ergonomics of a brand new, 120-pound costume, however had been informed there could be no modifications. He mentioned performers ended up performing in that costume for 5 or 6 years earlier than the outdated model of the costume was introduced again.
However Elefante mentioned that one of many major targets was merely for the individuals who work at Disneyland to have some semblance of affect on the Magic Kingdom.
“There’s a lot of perks that come together with [unionizing] and many advantages that folks wish to combat for. However when you removed all of that and solely saved the truth that we are attempting to have a voice on the desk, that may be price this whole course of,” he mentioned.
Requested concerning the issues raised by Elefante and Vo, a Disney spokesperson pointed to firm insurance policies that mentioned schedule modifications are based mostly on the security of holiday makers and staff, such because the case of inclement climate, and that no discover is required when that operational necessity is utilized. She additionally mentioned all solid members, whether or not or not they’re represented by a union, have a number of strategies to speak security issues, together with contacting park management, security conferences, roundtables or utilizing an nameless hotline.
However Elefante and Vo say they imagine the vast majority of the group is able to vote for the union as a result of their issues. The 2-thirds majority signing playing cards shouldn’t be a assure the union will win a vote — help typically decreases as administration campaigns towards the union in conferences with staff. However that stage of help suggests it has a very good likelihood of passing.
Vo hopes that communication between staff and managers can enhance, and that pay charges can improve. She mentioned union illustration would embody the identical ideas she espouses as her characters when speaking to kids within the parks.
“Change may be scary. This entire factor is frightening,” she mentioned. “But when I’m courageous sufficient and brave sufficient to do it, I’m going to do it.”