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As it turns out, Disneyland isn't the happiest place on earth.
At least not for some workers who get to stroll through the park as beloved Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Elsa and Chewbacca.
In union elections that ended Saturday, the Anaheim, California-based performers voted overwhelmingly to form a union, with a vote of 953 to 258. The employees will be represented by the Actors' Equity Association, a union known for representing actors and stage managers. Broadway.
The election involved approximately 1,700 employees in the Character and Parade Department, including those who travel to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks to greet guests and participate in daily parades.
The union's campaign grew during the pandemic as performers began to have health and safety concerns about sharing costumes and having physical contact with visitors, including hugs from beloved children.
Like many other workers in Southern California, Disney employees found that their base wage, which increased from $20 to $24.15 in January, was not keeping up with the rising cost of living.
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The workers leading the organizing campaign called themselves “Magic United” and called for higher wages and more stable schedules, noting in particular that parade performers had difficulty securing full-time hours.
Mai Bo, who graduated from college and got her first job at Disneyland at age 16 and worked as several Disney characters, says there is a sense of fatigue that comes with the job.
“[It] “When you’re tired, it becomes really difficult to do your magic,” she says.
Disneyland said in a statement that “we support the right to a secret ballot that recognizes Cast Member's individual choices,” and that non-union employees receive salary increases and paid sick leave consistent with industry standards.
Most other Disneyland workers, including stage performers and hospitality workers at resort hotels, are already unionized. Parades and character performers at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida have represented the Teamsters for decades.