Originally published in Labor Today
ANAHEIM, CA | JULY 18 — Over 1000 Disneyland Resort workers marched on Disneyland demanding fair pay, better working conditions, and good faith contract negotiations. The rally temporarily shut down Harbor Blvd, the arterial road connecting Anaheim to Orange through the Anaheim Resort District. Organized under Disney Workers Rising, they marched to Disneyland’s Main Gate, where the Anaheim Police Department forced workers out on to the street. The rally then occupied the Lyft-sponsored pickup and drop-off area for two hours.
Disney Workers Rising, which is a coalition of four unions—The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83, SEIU-United Service Workers West, Teamsters Local 495, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324—along with community members and other unions from around the country, demonstrated vigorously in favor of Disneyland resort workers’ demands. Disney guests and patrons left supportive comments on Disney’s social media accounts, raising awareness of the poor pay and working conditions.
David Hernandez, Shop Steward for Teamsters Local 495 declared:
“We are fed up with being pushed around by Disney and are ready to fight back against its unfair labor practices. Disney believes it can bully us into accepting a subpar contract by violating our rights, but they are wrong. We are united, strong, and prepared to strike to secure the fair contract we deserve.”
Following the rally, a strike authorization vote was held Friday with more than 99% of votes cast to authorize an Unfair Labor Practice strike. The NLRB received over 200 cases against Disney after they ordered hundreds of union members to remove their union buttons, including acts of retaliation against them. Contract negotiations resume July 22nd and 23rd. If Disney doesn’t cooperate with the four unions, they can call on nearly 9000 cast members to involve themselves in the ULP strike.
