Disneyland employees who play Disney’s magical characters every day in California’s theme parks are reportedly seeking to join a union, to follow in the footsteps of their counterparts at the Florida parks.
“They love working at Disneyland. This does not mean that they do not need enough money to live (…) Everyone recognizes that Disneyland is a special place. But magic alone doesn’t pay the rent,” Kate Shindle, president of the Actor’s Equity union, told CNN Business on Tuesday.
The union has already obtained the support of more than 30% of the 1,700 performers at Disneyland in Orange County, who tour the parks of the enchanting site in the guise of different characters from the Walt Disney company, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, according to the American media.
Because at present, these actors would not be unionized, unlike their colleagues in retail, catering, security, hair and makeup and pyrotechnics who work on the same site.
In total, Disneyland’s 21,000 employees would be represented by more than a dozen unions, excluding those who perform as characters or mascots.
What’s more, the actors’ counterparts, who work in exactly the same job, but on the Disney World site in Orlando, have been part of a union for several years already, according to CNN.
And until recently, they were paid more than their colleagues in California, despite the cost of living being significantly higher – by at least 50% – in Orange County, according to Council data. for community and economic research reported by the American media.
The union said it would wait until it has the support of at least 60 percent of employees before filing a request for representation with the National Labor Relations Board, or seeking voluntary recognition of the union by Disney.
For its part, the company did not wish to take a position for the moment, limiting itself to indicating that it is of the opinion “that our stakeholders deserve to have all the facts and the right to a confidential vote which recognizes their individual choices,” according to CNN.
