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Disneyland Cast Members Authorize Strike
Teamsters, Union Coalition Demand Fair Pay, Benefits, End to Unfair Labor Practices
(ANAHEIM, Calif.) – Teamsters at Disneyland have voted by an overwhelming 99 percent to authorize a strike. The decisive vote is a direct response to Disney executives’ refusal to negotiate in good faith and the company’s numerous unfair labor practices.
“The blatant disregard for workers’ rights that Disney has shown during negotiations is simply unacceptable,” said Damascus Castellanos, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 495. “Our members will not be coerced by this media giant into accepting a contract that fails to value and respect their work. We will fight these injustices and ultimately secure a strong contract.”
In California, 6,000 of the over 14,000 cast members at Disney are Teamsters. At Disneyland, these workers, including resort parking and transportation staff, attraction hosts, and animal care workers, are fighting for higher wages, better benefits, fair attendance policies, seniority rights, safer working conditions, and greater respect on the job.
“We are fed up with being pushed around by Disney and are ready to fight back against its unfair labor practices,” said David Hernandez, a monorail operator and Local 495 shop steward. “Disney believes it can bully us into accepting a subpar contract by violating our rights, but they are wrong. We are united, strong, and prepared to strike to secure the fair contract we deserve.”
“It is time for Disney to start treating its workers with respect and get serious at the bargaining table,” said Tommy Blitsch, Director of the Teamsters Casino, Convention, and Tradeshow Division. “Make no mistake, our members are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow union members to demand that this corporate giant treats us with respect and pays its fair share. We won’t accept anything less.”
Cast members at Disneyland are represented by a coalition of unions comprised of Teamsters Local 495, Bakery, Confectionery, Tabacco Workers, and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83, Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.