• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
RetailDisney

This union is attacking Disney’s weirdest policy

By
Ben Geier
Ben Geier
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Ben Geier
Ben Geier
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 5, 2015, 11:36 AM ET
MYANMAR-US-DISNEY-ENTERTAINMENT
Walt Disney characters Mickey Mouse (R) and Minnie Mouse pose for photographs in front of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon on September 25, 2014. The Disney characters, icons of the US entertainment industry, were making their debut in Myanmar, which has emerged from being a highly reclusive state. AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU (Photo credit should read Ye Aung Thu/AFP/Getty Images)Photograph by Ye Aung Thu — AFP/Getty Images

Working at a Disney Park may be magical, but apparently the “cast members” — as these Disney employees are called — aren’t allowed to tell anyone what loveable character they play — at least for now.

The union that represents Disney (DIS) Park employees is challenging the rule, which doesn’t allow workers to say which character they play in any online or print media — this is likely a bigger issue today given the proliferation of social media.

A representative for the Teamsters, the union representing the workers, thinks this is extreme, telling the Orlando Sentinel that the person playing Tigger doesn’t “work for the CIA.”

Dalton told the newspaper that the Teamsters filed a grievance with Disney’s labor relations department last week. The union will also file an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, she added.

MORE: Check out Disney on the new Fortune 500 list

More than 1,200 Disney workers greet guests or appear in parades in various guises, including dressed as “fur characters,” such as Winnie the Pooh, or in outfits that cover the performers completely, and “face characters” such as Snow White or Cinderella, Dalton told the paper.

About the Author
By Ben Geier
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.