July 19 (UPI) — About 9,500 union members at Disneyland will vote Friday on whether to go on strike to demand higher wages and better working conditions.
If approvedUnion leaders will have the power to call for strikes if their proposals are not accepted at the negotiating table. The results of the vote will be known on Saturday.
Many workers have complained that it’s hard to make ends meet in expensive Southern California, with some minimum wage earners saying they were living out of their cars while working for big entertainment companies.
The Master Services Council, an allied organization that represents the union, covers many workers, including cleaners, ride operators and merchandise salespeople.
The contract for Disneyland workers ended June 16. The contracts for California Adventure and Downtown Disney end on September 30.
Among Disney employees protested against the facility Disney negotiators are scheduled to begin meeting with union leaders on Monday, with a strike authorization vote due to take place the weekend before.
“and [Wednesday’s] “Our focus at gatherings remains the well-being of our guests and cast members,” a Disneyland official said. He told KTLA-TV On Thursday.
“We remain fully committed to our upcoming meetings on July 22-23 with the goal of reaching an agreement with Master Services that focuses on what matters most to our Cast Members, positions Disney Resorts for growth and job creation, and allows us to continue delivering great guest experiences.”
The last strike at Disney Resorts lasted 22 days in 1984. The company said it was offering wages starting at $19.90 an hour and a “comprehensive” benefits package.