(CNN) — There’s something magical happening behind the scenes at Disneyland, and it’s not just pixie dust. Disneyland Resort’s beloved character performers—individuals who bring to life iconic figures like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy—have voted to unionize under the banner of the Actors’ Equity Association.
Over three days last week, a significant turnout of 1,700 cast members in Anaheim, California, cast their votes, with the final count revealing a landslide victory: 953 in favor and 258 opposed. This move marks the first time these colorful characters have sought collective bargaining rights with The Walt Disney Company.
“This unionization drive is historic,” said Kate Shindle, President of the Actors’ Equity Association. “These performers are on the frontline of creating magical experiences, from those unforgettable character hugs to parades that light up the castle. We’re excited to work together on improving health & safety, wages, benefits, working conditions, and job security for them.”
The labor relations board is poised to certify these results next week, and following that, contract negotiations will commence. While Equity anticipates a potentially lengthy negotiating process, past interactions suggest Disney will approach the talks cooperatively.
Disneyland Resort has remained cautiously optimistic. “Whatever the outcome, we respect that our cast members had the opportunity to have their voices heard,” a spokesperson shared. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Disney as character performers at Disney World in Florida have unionized since the 1980s, with around 800 cast members currently represented by Equity.
With this pioneering effort, the stage is set for new chapters in employee relations at Disneyland. What are your thoughts on this historic unionization? Share them below and join the conversation!
