Disneyland characters and parade performers successfully merge

In 2023, unionization will be in full swing across the entertainment industry, particularly at Disney. VFX artist Spread across multiple internal teams, including: MCU And that Avatar franchise— Successfully formed a union, a trend that continues in the company’s theme park business today.

Late Saturday night, the election for Disneyland Resort actors to represent the Actors Equity Association concluded. 1,700 employees voted, and he needed half of them for the stock to pass, but in a so-called “landslide victory,” he exceeded the threshold with 79% of voters supporting the union. (The specific numbers are 953 in favor to 258 against.) Barring any problems, the NLRB regional director said he expects to certify the results within a week.

Equity already represents performers and stage managers at Walt Disney World’s Orlando Resort, as well as Broadway’s Disney Theatricals and other national tours. Most of the resort’s employees have been unionized for years, with the exception of the character and parade departments before this vote.Their initiative was born from performers share your concerns Health and safety in the early years pandemic, the base wage doesn’t match Southern California’s expensive cost of living. To further emphasize what they are fighting for, the performers released a video earlier in the week about poor conditions, including wearing uncomfortable costumes and inflexible work policies.

Kate Shindle, president of Per Equity, said the first order of business for the workers group known as Magic United is to improve health and safety protocols, along with wages, bonuses and working conditions. “These employees are working on the front lines of the guest experience,” she said. “When kids hug a character or a family watches a parade at a castle, they are the ones making memories that will last a lifetime. […] We are excited about the next step. [and] He will meet with representatives from The Walt Disney Company to negotiate these priorities and close an initial contract. ”

“This is an incredible victory and we thank you for all your support over the past few weeks,” she continued. “These Cast Members support the union and Disney, and are willing to work in good faith to improve both the work experience and the guest experience, and to meet with their employers across the bargaining table. looking forward to it. […] They say Disneyland is a place where dreams come true, and today was a dream come true for Disney cast members who have been working hard to unionize. ”

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