News Disneyland Character Performers Look to Unionize With Actors’ Equity

[Disney Analyst]

In those circumstances you'd probably just not tell anyone you were pro-union as you crossed, lol.

*eyes down, don't make eye contact, don't let them see you cry*

 

[Parteecia]

Isn't the vote already underway, or maybe even completed by now? The results are coming out in a few days I believe.

So even if not an official picket line yet I think a pro-union person may consider it "crossing" as a show of support and would avoid it if possible.

I am pro-union but I am not counting a "rally" as crossing a picket line. (especially if I approach via DTD)

Darn, if I hadn't read this thread I could go with a clear and innocent conscience.

 

[Disney Irish]

I am pro-union but I am not counting a "rally" as crossing a picket line. (especially if I approach via DTD)

Darn, if I hadn't read this thread I could go with a clear and innocent conscience.

I guess it depends on your point of view. I would imagine that they would have some CMs on the DTD side somewhere as well, but that is just a guess.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I guess it depends on your point of view. I would imagine that they would have some CMs on the DTD side somewhere as well, but that is just a guess.

If it has to be off property there really isn’t a good option over there.

 

[Parteecia]

I guess it depends on your point of view. I would imagine that they would have some CMs on the DTD side somewhere as well, but that is just a guess.

I will play optimist and assume that the strike doesn't materialize so no need to honor the informational rally.

Or I could always blame that silly short term memory loss that happens so often at my age. Strike, what strike? What's a thread?

 

[Disney Analyst]

I will play optimist and assume that the strike doesn't materialize so no need to honor the informational rally.

Or I could always blame that silly short term memory loss that happens so often at my age. Strike, what strike? What's a thread?

“Where are my glasses? I can’t see without my glasses?!?”

(Enters Disneyland)

“Oh, they were on my head did I miss anything?”

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I‘m a union member myself but if I was at DL I wouldn’t give the strike more than a few seconds thought as I gleefully passed by to enjoy the park, the locals will probably be much more willing to support them by skipping their park day though.

 

[Disney Irish]

If it has to be off property there really isn’t a good option over there.

I can imagine there would be spots in DTD where they can have several CMs posted with signs.

 

[Disney Irish]

I‘m a union member myself but if I was at DL I wouldn’t give the strike more than a few seconds thought as I gleefully passed by to enjoy the park, the locals will probably be much more willing to support them by skipping their park day though.

SCAB!!!!!!! lol

 

[Parteecia]

SCAB!!!!!!! lol

My pro-union stance is not unconditional (koff*koff*longshoremen fighting modernization of the ports). I would have to look at both sides' proposals before deciding whether to support.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I can imagine there would be spots in DTD where they can have several CMs posted with signs.

Yeah I don’t know how that works - all the photos I’ve seen show them off property right at the property line with the street preacher and the parrots (if you know you know lol)

 

[Disney Irish]

Yeah I don’t know how that works - all the photos I’ve seen show them off property right at the property line with the street preacher and the parrots (if you know you know lol)

I've seen various groups including JWs inside of DTD proper over the years, so can't imagine this being any different.

Also the property lines have changed recently, as before Magic Way was the border of what was "off property" on that side of the resort. But that has since come under Disney ownership due to DLForward. So if they are to be "off property", on that side it means on Disneyland Dr now.

 

[TP2000]

And FYI, anyone who is pro-Union should be aware that visiting Disneyland on Wednesday should be considered as crossing a picket line.

It's been many decades since, but I'm still a former Teamster.

How on earth is this crossing a picket line? A messaging/communications rally at a work site is NOT a picket line.

To have a picket line to cross, you have to... wait for it... have a strike with an actual picket line.

 

[TP2000]

This is 1984 all over again with the cast member strikes…, except it might be worse

They do this every 5 or 6 years, depending on the contract. This isn't new, nor is it unique.

 

[chadwpalm]

I've seen various groups including JWs inside of DTD proper over the years, so can't imagine this being any different.

They are there because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Pruneyard Shopping Center v. Robins, 447 U.S. 74 (1980) that religious groups (or any other group) have the first amendment right to be in private shopping areas, as long as they are not being disruptive or disorderly.

So technically yes, the CMs can be in DTD as long as they weren't being disruptive. However, I would think that they WANT to be disruptive in order to be effective in their messaging, so being off-property might be more advantageous for them.

Disney MIGHT be able to get around the ruling if the protestors are wearing CM uniforms as those belong to and represent Disney. I'm not a lawyer though, so that's just speculation.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

also…. What do the CM’s want? Like is it something simple and easy?

 

[TP2000]

also…. What do the CM’s want? Like is it something simple and easy?

I'd love to know that too.

Disneyland CM's are getting paid higher than the current SoCal market rates for other unskilled, entry-level jobs like McDonald's, Target cashiers, custodial, etc. Attractions CM's are the lowest paid, at a starting rate of $20 per hour, because those ride ops jobs are in the highest demand.

Here are some current starting pay rates for other CM's in 2024, from $21.25 for an entry-level job in food service, to $28.50 for an entry-level job at the hotel front desk...

Aside from a pay raise above these already high starting wages for entry-level unskilled jobs (the skilled jobs like Electricians start at $37), what are the CM's asking for? Paid childcare? An extra break? Cheaper Starbucks menu items?

 

[Disney Irish]

They are there because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Pruneyard Shopping Center v. Robins, 447 U.S. 74 (1980) that religious groups (or any other group) have the first amendment right to be in private shopping areas, as long as they are not being disruptive or disorderly.

So technically yes, the CMs can be in DTD as long as they weren't being disruptive. However, I would think that they WANT to be disruptive in order to be effective in their messaging, so being off-property might be more advantageous for them.

Disney MIGHT be able to get around the ruling if the protestors are wearing CM uniforms as those belong to and represent Disney. I'm not a lawyer though, so that's just speculation.

Yes I remember that case from my youth.

As this isn't an actual picket line yet I don't know how disruptive they really want to be, especially in DTD where those businesses aren't really owned by Disney.

 

[DCBaker]

A few details tonight from Brady MacDonald at OCR:

Disneyland’s largest union coalition protested on the Anaheim theme park’s birthday with ride operators, candy makers and ticket takers fighting for a pay raise ahead of a planned strike vote.

Disneyland union employees rallied outside the park’s entrance on Wednesday, July 17 in support of union contract negotiations seeking fair wages. The symbolic date marked the 69th anniversary of the park’s opening on July 17, 1955.

About 2,000 Disneyland cast members and union representatives were out in force waving signs and placards at the park’s Harbor Boulevard entrance.

Union members set up a sound system outside the Disneyland security checkpoint and delivered speeches while theme park guests entered and exited the parks.

The rally moved to Harbor Boulevard with protestors filling the Disneyland drop off/pick up lot. Union members chanted: “If we don’t get it. Shut it down.”

Master Services Council, which represents 14,000 Disneyland employees from four unions, plans to hold a strike authorization vote on Friday, July 19.

“A strike authorization is not unusual as part of the negotiations process and does not indicate a strike is imminent or underway,” according to the Disneyland union negotiation online FAQ. “Disneyland Resort remains open and ready to welcome guests.”

Disney negotiators and union officials are scheduled to meet again on July 22 and 23, according to Disneyland officials.

“With today’s rally, we continue to be focused on the wellbeing of our guests and cast members,” according to Disneyland officials. “We remain committed to the upcoming meetings on July 22-23 and reaching an agreement with Master Services that focuses on what matters most to cast members, positions Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation and enables us to continue delivering incredible guest experiences.”

The union coalition — which has been negotiating with Disney over a new contract since April — represents ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers, ticket takers, parking attendants, tram drivers and other cast members, Disney parlance for employees.

The Disneyland contract covering approximately 9,000 employees expired June 16. The Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney contracts covering approximately 5,000 employees expire on Sept. 30.

Master Services Council declined to enter into a contract extension after the Disneyland contract expired, according to Disneyland officials.

Disneyland union protesters chant ‘shut it down’ ahead of strike vote

The union coalition representing 14,000 Disneyland employees will hold a strike authorization vote on July 19.

www.ocregister.com

 

[TsWade2]

Looks like Disneyland 69th anniversary is ruined and Disneyland will be in jeopardy! Not ending forever, but in temporarily jeopardy!