Disneyland Character Performers Vote for Unionization

Disneyland cast members performing as such characters as Mickey and Minnie Mouse in parades at the Anaheim, Calif., amusement park have recently voted to unionize.

However, other organizing efforts have not been so successful: A union drive at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama has failed, stymying unionization at car manufacturers in the South. We’ve gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other outlets.

Disneyland Vote

The Disneyland cast members voted to join the Actors’ Equity Association by a 79 percent majority, with 953 "yes" votes and 258 "no" votes. Among the key issues that brought workers together to fight for representation in future negotiations with the company were securing improvements in safety and scheduling and demanding “a living wage.”

In a statement, a Disneyland spokeswoman said that “it is premature for the company to comment on the results.”

(The New York Times)

Origins of Safety Concerns

The election was open to approximately 1,700 employees in the character and parade departments, including those who roam Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park greeting visitors and performing in the daily parades. The union campaign grew out of the pandemic, when performers started having health and safety concerns around sharing costumes and having physical contact with visitors, including hugs from adoring children.

Like many other workers in Southern California, the Disney employees also found their base wages—which increased from $20 to $24.15 in January—to be no match for the rising cost of living. The workers leading the organizing campaign called for higher wages and more reliable schedules, noting that parade performers in particular have trouble getting full-time hours.

(NPR)

Pre-Existing Unions at Resort

Most of the more than 35,000 workers at the Disneyland Resort, including cleaning crews, pyrotechnic specialists, and security staff, are already in labor unions. The resort includes Disneyland, which is the Walt Disney Co.’s oldest theme park, as well as Disney California Adventure Park and the shopping and entertainment district Downtown Disney in Anaheim.

(AP)

Mercedes-Benz Workers Vote Against Union

Mercedes-Benz workers at two factories near Tuscaloosa, Ala., recently voted against union representation by the United Auto Workers. The results were a blow to the UAW’s organizing efforts a month after the Detroit union won an organizing drive of roughly 4,330 Volkswagen plant workers in Tennessee.

The UAW has filed six charges of unfair labor practices against Mercedes-Benz with the National Labor Relations Board, saying the company disciplined employees for discussing unionization at work, prevented organizers from distributing union materials, conducted surveillance of workers, and fired workers who supported the union.

Mercedes-Benz denied the claims. “We thank all team members who asked questions, engaged in discussions and, ultimately, made their voices heard on this important issue,” the company said in a statement.

(CNBC and The New York Times)

Prohibited and Permitted Activity

Employers have limits under the National Labor Relations Act regarding what they can say about unions, as well as certain rights. In addition to not being able to engage in threats, employers can’t interrogate workers, make promises about improvements if a union is kept out, or engage in surveillance over unionization. But managers can share facts and opinions and give specific examples of situations that involve union organizing and contract negotiations.

(SHRM Online)