Slogans among the many indicators being carried included “Mickey would need truthful pay” and “Disney, don’t be the villain” on the march in Anaheim, close to Los Angeles.
“We deserve truthful wages,” stated 44-year-old Disneyland worker Ginny Cristales.
“A strike is our final resort, that we’re not desirous to do. But when Disney doesn’t comply and provides us what we’d like, then we’re all prepared.”
Disney has been in negotiations since April with the 4 California unions representing its park workers.
The talks have to date yielded nothing, and unions accuse the so-called “Happiest Place within the World” of intimidating workers.
Disney is claimed to have reprimanded and issued warnings to greater than 500 workers for carrying a union pin that includes a picture of Mickey Mouse’s glove clenched within the form of a fist.
“Final week, I noticed a supervisor telling one of many solid members to take away her badge. He advised her that it will be on her report card,” stated Cristales.
“She was harassed and he or she received scared.”
The allegations have prompted an investigation by the Nationwide Labor Relations Board.
Disney has stated the union buttons violate its “Disney Look” gown code.
Staff will vote on whether or not to authorize a strike this Friday. If the motion is authorised, unions will then resolve on its phrases and length.
Contract talks with Disney are set for subsequent Monday and Tuesday.
Within the wake of final yr’s devastating strikes by Hollywood actors and writers, one other large-scale walkout at Disney can be historic.
Staff on the Disneyland resort — composed of the Disneyland and Disney California Journey theme parks — haven’t gone on strike since 1984, in line with the LA Occasions.
However Cristales, a mom of 4, stated her $2,800 month-to-month wage doesn’t even cowl her household’s lease.
“We make the magic, they make the cash,” went one of many chants heard Wednesday, as passing automobiles honked in help.
“Disney will make investments $2 billion in its park however refuses to pay staff a residing age” learn a slogan on a protesters’ T-shirt.
Organizers stated one thousand protesters attended the rally.
An AFP journalist noticed a number of hundred march to the park’s perimeter, the place they tried to arrange for speeches, however have been advised by safety to maneuver to a parking lot some 200 yards (meters) away.
“With as we speak’s rally, we proceed to be centered on the wellbeing of our visitors and solid members,” stated Disney in an announcement Wednesday.
“We stay dedicated to the upcoming conferences on July 22-23 and reaching an settlement with Grasp Companies that focuses on what issues most to solid members, positions Disneyland Resort for progress and job creation and allows us to proceed delivering unbelievable visitor experiences.”
AFP