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Mickey Gets Muscle: Disneyland Character Performers Vote to Unionize

Move over, princesses in distress! Disneyland character performers are taking control of their happily ever after by voting to unionize. After three days of voting, roughly 1,700 cast members who bring beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Goofy to life have joined the Actors' Equity Association.


A Landslide Victory:

  • The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of unionization, with 953 cast members voting yes and only 258 voting no.

  • This decision marks a significant step for these employees, who have previously been excluded from union representation.

Seeking Fairytale Benefits:

  • The union aims to improve working conditions, wages, benefits, and job security for character performers.

  • These performers play a crucial role in creating magical memories for park guests, and the union believes they deserve fair compensation.

A History of Unions at the Magic Kingdom:

  • While this is a first for Disneyland character performers, other Disney employees are already unionized.

  • Unions currently represent Disneyland workers in various roles like retail, food service, and security.

  • Disney World character actors in Florida have also been represented by a union since the 1990s.


What's Next?

  • With the election results expected to be certified soon, contract negotiations between the union and The Walt Disney Company will begin.

  • Actors' Equity Association expresses optimism for a productive relationship, similar to their existing partnerships with Disney.



The Future of Fairytales:

  • This unionization vote signifies a shift for Disneyland character performers.

  • They are seeking greater control over their working lives and ensuring they are valued for the magic they create.



Source: CNN

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