Disneyland’s unionized Cast Members (represented by the Master Services Council) voted again on a new Disneyland work contract. The vote was held on December 2nd and 3rd. Disney California Adventure workers had previously approved the contract, so the vote was only for Disneyland cast. Their choice was approve the contract or authorize a strike.  

Late on December 3rd, results started trickling in, with the Teamsters and SEIU (the two largest unions) both reporting that the new contract has passed on the 2nd vote. That means that a strike has been averted. 

The Teamsters and SEIU posted identical statements: 

, Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get

Disneyland released a statement around 9:30pm saying: 

“The Disneyland Resort is pleased that cast members of the Disneyland Park represented by the Master Services Council ratified a new collective bargaining agreement.  Cast members from Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District previously ratified the same offer on November 17th.  We are proud of the competitive wage and benefit offer, which provides historical increases over three years, continuing to outpace the California minimum wage.” 

The unions and Disneyland were both sharing the following information with cast before the vote.  This is what they’ll get now that the contract has been approved: 

2021 Master Services Council Disneyland Park Agreement Fact Sheet

 New Wages:

  • The contract provides historical increases for employees (approximate 19.35% increase from $15.50 to $18.50 for majority of employees over the life of the agreement)
    • $1.00 per hour retroactive to June 16, 2021 (approximate 6.45% increase for majority of employees)
    • $1.00 per hour on June 16, 2022 with a pull forward to November 17, 2021 if contract passes by December 3, 2021 (approximate 6% increase for majority of employees)
    • $1.00 per hour on June 16, 2023 (approximate 5.7 % increase for majority of employees)

Bonuses for employees with ten plus years of service:

  • Employees hired on or before June 16, 2001, will receive the following one-time lump sum bonus:
    • Full Time – $2000
    • Part Time – $1000
  • Employees hired between June 17, 2001 and June 16, 2011, will receive the following one-time lump sum bonus:
    • Full Time – $1000
    • Part Time – $500

Additional Contractual Benefits:

  • Health care plans with premiums as low as $7.00 per week for eligible employees
  • 10 Paid Holidays for Full Time Employees
  • Premium Holiday Pay for Part Time Employees
  • Up to 5 weeks Paid Vacation for Full Time Employees
  • Up to 5 Days Paid Time off for eligible Part Time Employees
  • Up to 56 Hours Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Employees
  • 401(k) Savings Plan with Company matching of up to 3% per year

Continue to read below for the full rollercoaster ride of getting this contract into the station…


(Previous coverage from December 1st)

The ongoing labor negotiations between Disneyland and a large portion of their unionized workers (represented by the Master Services Council) is headed toward a potential vote to strike on December 3rd. And while it’s looking likely that workers will reject the Disneyland contract for a 2nd time (which is considered a vote to strike), the strike itself may still be averted.  

, Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get
A strike in the middle of a the busy holiday season is likely not how Disney would like to see things go

Disneyland has a deal with the Master Services Council to extend the previous contract indefinitely, which might be enough to keep workers on the job a while longer so Disney and the unions can figure out a solution to the situation.  

But just to be safe, Disneyland has started training managers and non-union employees on various essential union roles. Contingency plans are well under way if crisis hits.  

Disneyland has offered an increase of $3 per hour over the course of 3 years (one dollar per year) for current employees, and will bring the starting wage to $18 by June of 2023. But many cast are holding out for $20 per hour.  

Only half of the unionized workers who were eligible to vote did so in the last round. Disney California Adventure workers approved the Disney offer and will not be voting again. But Disneyland workers voted approximately 60% to reject the offer and will need to vote once again to either accept the same contract proposal or strike.  

, Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get
forget Big Thunder… These union negotiations are the real wild ride

Though, even a vote to strike may not actually result in cast taking to the picket lines due to the extension of the previous contract.  

We’ll be keeping our eye on the contract revote.  For more information about this rollercoaster ride of a negotiation season, please read the previous coverage below…


(Previous coverage from November 24th)

Disneyland unions (represented by the Master Services Council) will vote on whether or not to strike on December 3rd, 2021.  

Disneyland’s SEIU Union has posted a note to its members explaining the current situation: 

Based on the partial “no” vote on November 17th, the Master Services Council will be holding another vote on December 3rd. Please read the below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for a full overview. This message only applies to members that work at Disneyland park. DCA has a ratified contract but Disneyland Park does not. This means that only Disneyland Cast Members will be voting.

Why are we voting again?

On November 5th, the Master Services Bargaining Committee tentatively agreed to Disney’s modified last, best and final offer. Disney’s offer included the highest general wage increases ever negotiated with Disney, as well as bonuses up to $2,000 for long-term cast members. This offer was conditional on ratification by November 17th. On November 17th, Master Services Cast Members ratified the tentative agreement for DCA but rejected it for Disneyland park. Of USSW Cast Members at Disneyland who voted, 60% did so to reject recommendation by the bargaining committee and instead voted to authorize the bargaining committee to hold a strike. As per our constitution and bylaws, a strike authorization vote requires a 75% threshold in order for it to be sanctioned, which was not met.

Since this offer was contingent upon it being ratified by the 17th, Disney had no obligation to come back to the table to renegotiate a better agreement but has conceded to a second vote, contingent on it being voted and ratified by December 3rd. This offer includes the original offer that was voted on November 17th. Therefore, SEIU USWW’s Disneyland bargaining committee has called for a new vote on December 3rd and it is critical that members understand that the choice that day will be to accept the new contract offer or to go on strike. By allowing this 2nd vote, we want to give members the opportunity to be informed of what a yes or no vote means that day. More information will be forthcoming over the next two weeks up until December 3rd.

I voted to strike on November 17th. Why can’t we strike now?

USWW’s constitution and bylaws require at least 75% of those voting to authorize a strike. Since we only reached roughly 60% on November 17th, this threshold was not met and therefore, we will have to hold another strike authorization vote. This vote will also give the chance to the 50% or so of those who did not vote on November 17th to have an opportunity to have their voice heard in this important matter.

Why are only Disneyland Cast Members voting?

Although DCA and Disneyland Park are negotiated together for convenience bargaining, they are separate contracts. Therefore, DCA has a ratified contract but Disneyland Park does not. This means that only Disneyland Cast Members will be voting.

If we vote yes on December 3rd, will we get our $3 dollar wage increase?

If a majority of those voting vote yes on December 3rd, you will receive the following wage increase:

$1 per hour increase, retroactive pay from 6/16/2021
$1 per hour increase effective Nov. 17th, 2021 (moved up from June 2022)
$1 per hour increase on 6/16/2023
For long-term cast members, those who were hired on or before 6/16/2001 would get $2000 (for full-time) and $1000 (for part-time) bonuses. For those who were hired between 6/17/2001 and 6/16/2011, they would get $1000 (for full-time) and $500 (for part-time) bonuses.

Why are we voting on the same contract and not negotiating a new one?

At this time, Disney has conceded to allow this contract to be reintroduced for a revote, with an improved offer of moving the 2022 increase to go into effect on November 17th and the bonuses for Disneyland cast members who have worked for 10 or 20 years. The caveat to this for us as USWW is that this is a strike authorization vote in accordance with our constitution and bylaws.

All of the unions seem to be pushing their members to accept Disneyland’s contract proposal and not to strike. However, these are extraordinary times and there’s a great deal of pressure building in cast member groups for a strike.  

It’s unclear what would happen in the event Disneyland unions strike, but the park could not safely operate without these workers and there aren’t enough managers and hourly workers certified in the necessary jobs to manage the current volume of guests. Disney California Adventure employees voted FOR the Disney contract, so they would not be striking and that park would be unaffected by the upcoming vote.  

The other confusion is that an alternate proposal has not been made by unionized workers, so there’s no set demand for Disneyland to accept in order to avoid a strike.  

More information on this long drawn out story below…


(Previous coverage from November 18th)

Disneyland Contract Rejected!

Disneyland’s union workers (represented by the Master Services Council, a collection of several Disneyland unions) voted on their contract yesterday in the Lincoln theater at Disneyland. 

Early returns indicate that Disneyland’s workers have overwhelmingly voted “No” to the new contract, while Disney California Adventure’s union workers appear to have narrowly voted “Yes.” 

However, there was some confusion among cast due to voting irregularities, including some cast being given ballots for the wrong park, observers being kicked out from the counting process before the finally tally was given, and ballots being rejected for marks in incorrect places or names being written on them. 

, Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get

The contract that workers were voting on included a $3 wage increase over three years, as well as bonuses for long term employees.  

, Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get

The ballot itself included language intended to scare cast members into voting “Yes” by making them think that a “No” vote would result in a strike. That’s not necessarily what would happen in a situation like this. The union would instead poll its members on what they would accept and attempt to continue negotiations with Disney. Only in the event that those negotiations failed would a strike possibly happen. But Disney would very likely be given the chance to step up to demands before workers take to the picket line. So don’t cancel your vacation just yet.  

, Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get

If this process has proven anything, it’s that cast members are standing up not only to a contract they are unhappy with, but also being vocal against their own union representation. The unions have responded by locking down their Facebook groups so their members can’t comment. And that, in turn, has fueled calls for investigations of the vote and a movement to replace union leadership. 

It was a messy vote, but we hope to hear the final tally soon.  


PREVIOUS COVERAGE (NOV 5, 2021):

Disneyland Contract Proposal Set

For those of you following along with Disneyland’s tense negotiations with various unions, it appears that contract terms have finally been settled. Disneyland today announced that they’ve reached a “tentative” agreement with the Master Services Council, which represents several unions (see full story below).  Disneyland states: 

“The Disneyland Resort is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with Master Services Council for collective bargaining agreements at the Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, which has the full support of the unions that are part of the Council.

Voting will occur on November 17, 2021.

Disney is committed to investing in its cast members to provide a comprehensive, holistic employee experience through multiple touch points including healthcare coverage options as low as $7 / week for full-time cast members as well as providing eligible hourly cast with access to childcare support and Disney Aspire, an educational program offering free tuition.”

We’re waiting to hear from union reps but wanted to update this story as soon as possible. 


PREVIOUS COVERAGE (Oct 29, 2021):

Disneyland Contract Tensions

Tensions are reaching a low boil for many of Disneyland’s union cast members. Talks on contract renewals for the Teamsters and SEIU contracts (and possibly others) seemingly broke down yesterday and the unions began sending messages to employees letting them know that things aren’t going well and that Disney hadn’t responded to the new proposals and mediation had been canceled.  

The Teamsters notified their members that a town hall would be required. Such a meeting could result in organized action, such as a strike if things get worse.  

, Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get , Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get

SEIU union, which represents Custodial and Ticketing among other departments sent similar messages to their members as well.  

For cast who have been working harder, with less help, and worse shifts, through a difficult pandemic, this feels like a kick in the gut. Some cast are now organizing their own “Call Out” for the first day of the Disneyland holiday season on November 12th. But doing so could hurt the position of the cast members because guests and their non-union counterparts would be the ones most hurt. Disney would still be raking in the dough regardless. We hope it doesn’t come to that.  

We reached out to several sources at Disney to find out why they haven’t been negotiating with the union in good faith and heard a very different story. In fact, they all claim that negotiations are absolutely ongoing with Master Services Council which represents cast members in Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park in a variety of roles including Attractions, Confectionary, Costuming, Custodial, Main Entrance, Parking, Resort Transportation, Store Operations, Team Centers.

And, upon some digging, we found that Disney has apparently already internally approved some wage increases, and that it was communicated to the unions as early as this past Wednesday. In that proposal, Disneyland Resort offered to increase minimum rates to $17 per hour beginning as early as December 15, 2021 and $18 per hour by June 16, 2023. For reference, the minimum wage in Orange County, CA (where Disneyland is located) is currently $14/hr and is expected to go up to $15/hr in 2022. And they are willing to negotiate in regard to long-term workers as well, but that might be what’s taking so long. 

, Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get
We found a document that we think Disney is planning to send to cast. 

So, it appears that Disney is in fact still in contact with the unions and does intend to continue negotiating. Though, we think cast members absolutely should be involved in something as important as their own pay.

We have a copy of the message that Disney shared on the Hub for Cast Members:

, Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get , Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get

We suspect the unions will reach a consensus with Disney soon on starting wages and there may be some additional discussions that need to happen for long-term employees. We’ll do our best to keep an eye on this situation and hope that cast won’t be pressured into a bad deal by either side in this unusually tense negotiating season.  

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Dusty Sage
Dusty is the founder and CEO of MiceChat.com. When he's not visiting theme parks and writing, editing or speaking about Disney and theme parks worldwide, Dusty is involved in multiple Disney related projects and charities. He helped save and restore the charming Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, launched the Dick Van Dyke Foundation, and is the curator of Walt Disney's historic 1930's estate in Hollywood. If you've got news or photos to share with the MiceChat community, or would like to book Dusty for an upcoming event, please contact [email protected]