Disneyland's Mickey Mouse and Cinderella performers may unionise

New York, Feb. 15: Workers who help bring Disneyland's beloved characters to life — including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Cinderella — are looking to unionise.

Labour organisers announced the campaign Tuesday, saying performers want better safety conditions and scheduling policies to help them keep the magic alive for visitors.

While most of the more than 35,000 workers at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California already have labour unions, about 1,700 performers in parades, character actors and support staff do not.

Union membership has been on a decades-long decline in the United States, but organisations have seen growing public support in recent years amid high-profile contract negotiations involving Hollywood studios and Las Vegas hotels. The National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that protects workers' right to organise, reported more than 2,500 filings for union representation during the 2023 fiscal year, the highest number in eight years.

Disney operates two theme parks — Disneyland and Disney California Adventure — and a shopping and entertainment area called Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California. Disneyland, the company's oldest park, was the second-most visited theme park worldwide in 2022 with 16.8 million people coming through the gates, according to a report by the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM.

Union cards were circulated starting last week to promote forming a labour union under the Actors' Equity Association, which traditionally represents actors and stage managers. The group already represents theatrical performers at Walt Disney Co.'s Florida theme parks, organisers told The Associated Press.

Actors' Equity officials declined to say how many cards were returned but said they hoped to collect them from more than half the performers, which would let them ask Disney to voluntarily recognise the union rather having to seek a vote through the National Labor Relations Board. They expect the process will take weeks.

Disneyland officials said in a statement that they believe cast members deserve the right to a confidential vote.

Those who want to form the union, which they are calling "Magic United," are seeking to address safety issues in costuming, such as keeping items clean and using appropriate fabrics for high-intensity dancing. 

They also want more stable scheduling. The group began organising over health and safety concerns that arose when the park started allowing visitors to interact closely with characters again after the pandemic shutdown, Shindle said.

Some performers are also concerned about being asked to wear tights and make-up that don't match their skin tones, erratic and unpredictable staffing and fair pay. 

Still, they said they relish working at the parks, where they play a unique role in creating the Disney experience, union officials said.

The union has advised California workers not to speak on the record about unionising, said David Levy, an Actors' Equity spokesperson.

In California, Disney's cleaning crews, food service workers, pyrotechnic specialists and security staff are already unionised. The company has faced allegations in recent years of not paying workers enough to live in Southern California, despite Disney raking in profits. Wage issues have even wound up in the courts.