Disneyland character and parade performers in California vote to join labor union

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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Disneyland artists who help bring Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and other beloved characters to life at the Southern California resort have chosen to unionize after a three-day vote that culminated on Saturday.

Cast members in the parades and character departments at Disney theme parks near Los Angeles voted overwhelmingly for the union to become the bargaining agent for the group of about 1,700 workers, the Actors' Equity Association workers union said in a statement Saturday.

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A website affiliated with the association that tracks voting among cast members indicated that the vote was 78.7% (953 votes) in favor and 21.3% (258 votes) against.

“They say Disneyland is where dreams come true, and for the Disney members who worked to organize a union, their dream became a reality today,” Kate Shindel, president of the Actors' Equity Association, said in a statement Saturday evening.

Schindel called the workers “the front lines” of the Disneyland guest experience. She said the association and staff members will discuss health and safety improvements, wages and benefits, working conditions and job security before meeting with Walt Disney Company representatives about negotiating employee priorities in the contract.

The union already represents theatrical performers at Disney parks in Florida.

Barring any election challenges, the regional director of the National Labor Relations Board will certify the results within a week, the association said.

The NLRB did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting confirmation or additional information about the vote.

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The elections took place on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday in Anaheim, California, after workers earlier this year submitted tickets to form the unit called “Magic United.”

Parade and character workers who promoted unionization said they love helping create a magical experience at Disneyland but were concerned when they were asked to resume hugging visitors after returning to work during the coronavirus pandemic. They said they also suffer injuries due to complicated costumes and irregular schedules.

Most of the Disneyland Resort's more than 35,000 workers, including cleaning crews, fireworks specialists and security staff, are already unionized. The resort includes Disneyland, the Walt Disney Company's oldest theme park, as well as Disney California Adventure and the Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment district in Anaheim.

In recent years, Disney has faced allegations of not paying livable wages to its workers in Southern California, who face high housing costs and are often commuted long distances or crammed into small homes. Show performers and character actors earn a base wage of $24.15 an hour, up from $20 before January, with premiums for various roles.

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Union membership has been declining for decades in the United States, but the organizations have seen growing public support in recent years during high-profile contract negotiations involving Hollywood studios and Las Vegas hotels. The NLRB, which protects workers' right to organize, reported more than 2,500 requests for union representation during fiscal year 2023, the highest number in eight years.

The effort to organize character and show performers in California came more than 40 years after those who played Mickey, Goofy and Donald Duck were organized in Florida by the International Brotherhood of Truckers, a union traditionally known for representing transportation workers.

At the time, Florida performers complained about sloppy costumes and abuse from guests, including children who were kicking the legs of Disney villains like Captain Hook.

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