Disneyland character and parade performers in California vote to unionize

Disneyland performers in California voted to join a labor union. The vote happened over three days and ended on Saturday. The union, called the Actors’ Equity Association, will represent about 1,700 workers who bring characters like Mickey Mouse and Cinderella to life at the theme parks near Los Angeles. The workers voted with 78.7% in favor of joining the union. The union will now work with the cast members to discuss improvements in health and safety, wages, benefits, working conditions, and job security. After that, they will negotiate with the Walt Disney Company representatives to include these priorities in a contract. The union already represents performers at Disney’s Florida parks. The workers decided to unionize because they wanted better working conditions. They were worried about their health and safety, wages, and job security. Some workers were injured by their costumes and had unpredictable work schedules. They also felt uncomfortable hugging visitors during the pandemic. Disneyland has faced criticism for not paying its workers enough, especially in Southern California where housing costs are high. The base pay for parade performers and character actors is $24.15 per hour, which increased from $20 earlier in the year. Union membership has been decreasing in the U.S., but there has been more public support for unions in recent years. This effort to unionize the character and parade performers in California happened more than 40 years after similar workers in Florida joined a union. The Florida workers had complained about dirty costumes and mistreatment from guests. The new union in California aims to improve the working conditions and pay for Disneyland workers.