Mickey Mouse, Daisy Duck, Moana, and Eeyore are one step closer to unionizing.
Character and parade performers at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the Actor’s Equity Association. More than two-thirds of the 1,700 “cast members” (the company’s preferred term for workers) signed the union’s petition seeking recognition.
Unions are fairly common among Disney workers. Over a dozen organized labor groups represent more than 21,000 workers ranging from security guards to food service workers. And the workers behind the characters in parades, meet-and-greets and other events at Orlando’s Walt Disney World are already unionized, but to date, those in California have not been part of a union since the park opened in the 1950s.
“These performers, and the Hosts, Leads and Trainers who create magic alongside them, know that their lives – as well as the Guest experience at Disneyland – can be improved through collective bargainin,” said Equity President Kate Shindle in a statement. “They deserve a voice in their workplace, and meaningful negotiations over wages, benefits and working conditions.”
The union has notified Disney of the petition and hopes the company grants voluntary recognition. If the company does not, a union election will be held at the park before June.
Disney did not talk specifically about this unionization effort, but told Fortune ““We support our cast members’ right to a confidential vote that recognizes their individual choices.”
The actors behind the characters first announced an intention to unionize Feb. 13. Earlier this year, Disney raised the base pay rate for character and parade performers from $20 per hour to $24.15 per hour.
That 20% raise lost some of its luster, though, when California raised the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20. Workers also say there are safety issues they would like to see addressed.
“Our goal is to make ‘the happiest place on Earth’ a little happier,” said Shindle. “Equity has a very good relationship with Disney. We negotiate with them at Walt Disney World in Orlando, and with Disney Theatricals on Broadway and national tours. We look forward to meeting with their representatives across the bargaining table, and together, making the Disneyland Resort a fairer and safer place to work.”
