Thousands of Disneyland employees, represented by a coalition of labor unions, are set to vote next week on whether to authorize a strike following unsuccessful negotiations with Disney. The coalition, which includes around 14,000 workers from Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Disney hotels, and Downtown Disney shopping center, recently filed labor violation complaints against the company with the National Labor Relations Board.

Disney’s Response and Dress Code Controversy

Disney has expressed its commitment to reaching an agreement that addresses the needs of current cast members, attracts new employees, and supports the growth of Disneyland Resort. The company, however, has taken issue with the union pins depicting Mickey Mouse’s gloved hand raising a fist, arguing that they violate the park’s guest dress code.

On July 1, union members distributed the pins to guests outside Downtown Disney, encouraging them to show solidarity by signing a petition and wearing the pins. Cindy Marquez, a member of the bargaining committee, criticized the slow pace of negotiations, suggesting it could take over 25 more meetings before employees achieve livable wages. Marquez emphasized that Disney’s success depends on the workers and that wealth should be more equitably distributed within the company.

Workers’ Struggles and Calls for Fair Compensation

One of the primary goals for union members is to secure higher wages. According to the coalition, 64% of Disneyland workers are “rent-burdened,” and nearly one in three face food insecurity. Hilary Plata, an attractions hostess at Pirates of the Caribbean, shared her struggle, having lived in her car for over a month despite working 50 hours a week at the park. Plata highlighted the dedication of Disneyland employees in making dreams come true for guests and insisted that they deserve fair compensation and treatment.

“I make a career out of making people happy,” Plata said. “I make dreams come true for a living… That’s what people come to Disneyland for. They come for the kindness and they come for the magic. And that’s what we provide. And we deserve to be compensated fairly, we deserve to be treated fairly. We deserve to be seen as real people.”

The contract for Disneyland employees expired on June 16, while the contract for Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney cast members is set to expire on September 30. As the vote on strike authorization approaches, the outcome will significantly impact the future of labor relations at Disneyland and potentially set a precedent for other workers in the entertainment industry.