Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Say "Join the Union Go!"

1700 Disneyland Characters and Parade Performers
Negotiations to Join Actors' Labor Union Upon Securing 60% Support Rate

Characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald, and Goofy, who work at Disneyland, a theme park located in California, USA, are pushing to join a labor union.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Local media, including CNN, reported on the 13th (local time) that about 1,700 character and parade performers working at Disneyland are receiving cards to join the Actors' Equity Association, a labor union representing theater performers in the United States.

The union organizing committee, "Magic United," has so far received support from more than 30% of these workers, which is required to file for union recognition with the National Labor Relations Board. If support exceeds 60%, they plan to request union recognition from Disney. According to federal law, after a vote by union members, Disney will sit at the negotiating table with the Actors' Equity Association leadership.

Currently, more than 20,000 employees working at Disneyland, including restaurant staff, security, and fireworks personnel, are members of over 12 different unions, but character performers involved in parade-related work are not unionized. Additionally, unlike Disneyland, character and parade performers working at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, are already union members, CNN reported. This union drive also includes stage and cast support staff in addition to performers.

The Actors' Equity Association, with 51,000 members, is one of the oldest unions in the United States, excluding railroad unions. Kate Shindle, president of the Actors' Equity Association, said, "Disney workers are openly and strongly invested in and loyal to the Walt Disney Company and its values," adding, "Therefore, it is only natural to expect that 'the happiest place on earth' pays fair wages and prioritizes health and safety."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.