News Disneyland Character Performers Look to Unionize With Actors’ Equity

[Disney Irish]

Am I a horrible person for saying that if I spent 1000’s of dollars to come visit Disneyland (from Canada), and it was considered crossing a picket line to attend… I and probably every other visitor like me would probably cross it?

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

 

[remycat]

Am I a horrible person for saying that if I spent 1000’s of dollars to come visit Disneyland (from Canada), and it was considered crossing a picket line to attend… I and probably every other visitor like me would probably cross it?

This is the reality right now for most of us with upcoming trips. It costs so much money and prep to plan a vacation to Disneyland that we can't just back out on a dime if or when a strike is announced. I support the workers but need to be practical about how to figure out my family's vacation...

 

[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.