OS: Disney World, union can't agree: Are Festival of Fantasy 'girls' dancers or performers?
The colorful Cha Cha Bingo Girls and Bubble Girls entertain throngs of visitors watching the Magic Kingdom's Festival of Fantasy parade.
They strut. They twirl. They kick.
But are they dancers?
That's the debate right now between Walt Disney World and the union that represents the resort's performers. The Teamsters Local 385 says it wants the women who accompany Mickey, Minnie and other characters to get "mover pay" – 50 cents an hour extra – that's typically given to parade dancers.
"They are doing intricate footwork," Teamsters business agent Donna-Lynne Dalton said. "They have to be a skilled dancer in order to do this."
The case has gone to arbitration, and Disney does not comment on cases in that process.
The company, according to Dalton, argues the women are simply parade performers who don't qualify for the extra compensation.
"The company's stated what they were doing was stylized walking," Dalton said.
The Festival of Fantasy parade debuted in 2014. It features a steampunk fire-breathing dragon, Mickey and Minnie in a hot-air balloon, and a "Little Mermaid" scene on a music box.
The Cha Cha Bingo Girls and Bubble Girls add to the spectacle with their poufy blue wigs, candy cane striped dresses, and costumes stuffed with balloons. They move to the beat of classics such as the "Mickey Mouse Club" theme and "When You Wish Upon a Star."
Other performers who receive the increased "mover pay" include the Festival of Fantasy's "Swan Court" women in billowy dresses who surround the Beauty and the Beast float. Dancers who accompany the flag float in the Main Street Electrical Parade also get the extra pay, Dalton said.
Dalton said the performers were not available for interviews.
The colorful Cha Cha Bingo Girls and Bubble Girls entertain throngs of visitors watching the Magic Kingdom's Festival of Fantasy parade.
They strut. They twirl. They kick.
But are they dancers?
That's the debate right now between Walt Disney World and the union that represents the resort's performers. The Teamsters Local 385 says it wants the women who accompany Mickey, Minnie and other characters to get "mover pay" – 50 cents an hour extra – that's typically given to parade dancers.
"They are doing intricate footwork," Teamsters business agent Donna-Lynne Dalton said. "They have to be a skilled dancer in order to do this."
The case has gone to arbitration, and Disney does not comment on cases in that process.
The company, according to Dalton, argues the women are simply parade performers who don't qualify for the extra compensation.
"The company's stated what they were doing was stylized walking," Dalton said.
The Festival of Fantasy parade debuted in 2014. It features a steampunk fire-breathing dragon, Mickey and Minnie in a hot-air balloon, and a "Little Mermaid" scene on a music box.
The Cha Cha Bingo Girls and Bubble Girls add to the spectacle with their poufy blue wigs, candy cane striped dresses, and costumes stuffed with balloons. They move to the beat of classics such as the "Mickey Mouse Club" theme and "When You Wish Upon a Star."
Other performers who receive the increased "mover pay" include the Festival of Fantasy's "Swan Court" women in billowy dresses who surround the Beauty and the Beast float. Dancers who accompany the flag float in the Main Street Electrical Parade also get the extra pay, Dalton said.
Dalton said the performers were not available for interviews.
