Mickey Mouse and his gal pal Minnie are unhappy with working conditions at Disneyland and are trying to unionize with hundreds of coworkers who want more cheese in their paychecks and safety issues addressed, according to the union organizing workers.
Disneyland’s 1,700 character and parade performers are seeking to unionize under the Actors’ Equity Association, which has represented Walt Disney World stage actors since 1990. Disney World characters in Florida have been represented by the Teamsters union for more than 40 years.
ALSO SEE: How much does Disneyland pay Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Iron Man?
“We believe that our cast members deserve to have all the facts and the right to a confidential vote that recognizes their individual choices,” according to Disneyland officials.
Equity has been circulating a list of key issues facing nonunion Disneyland characters and parade performers and unionized Disney World stage actors that compares how those concerns are addressed on both coasts.
Disneyland officials contest many of the issues raised by Actors’ Equity Association and contend some statements made by the union to cast members are untrue.
Here are the seven key reasons Disneyland characters and parade performers want to unionize, according to the Actors’ Equity Association.
1) Pay
Walt Disney World actors represented by Equity are paid a minimum wage ranging from $21.30 to $23 per hour with pay bumps of $5.75 per hour for coach, captain or lead jobs.
Disneyland character and parade performer base pay increased from $20 to $24.15 per hour after union organizing began, according to Equity.
Raises for Disneyland nonunion hourly cast members were established in September and implemented in January, according to Disneyland officials.
While Disney characters like Elsa and Anna from “Frozen” appear as meet-and-greet characters, parade performers and stage actors, the roles fall into distinct departments at the parks with different pay…
Read the full article here