 |
| Cynthia “Cyn” Carranza protests with other Disneyland employees outside the park |
 |
| Hundreds of Disneyland workers protested this week outside the park's gates |
Disneyland's labor contract expired on June 16, and negotiations now include a union representing 10,000 workers at the park, including everyone who works in sales, restaurants and housekeeping. Workers Union says one in 10 Disneyland performers has experienced homelessness while working at the park. An employee survey found that 73% of employees said they did not earn enough money to cover basic monthly expenses, and a third said they had experienced housing insecurity in the past year. "We're magical," said L Slaughter, host of the park's Toontown-themed section. "We want Disney to pay us a living wage." M. Murder spent two years in his car while working on the farm. Now he has a small house an hour from Disneyland. He spent a lot of time trying to find a good place to sleep in the parking lot, he said, adding that employees do not allow them to sleep in the Disneyland parking lot. "My mortgage went up to $200 and I can't afford to rent again," he said. Ms Slaughter earns $19.90 an hour - the minimum wage approved by local voters in 2018. Disney has fought unsuccessfully for a pay rise, but workers say it is not enough to get food. According to a cost-of-living calculator by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a person without children would pay $30.48 an hour to live near Disneyland in Orange County, about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles. . workers who spoke to the alkhabrfdakika said they would keep their jobs at the park because they love the Disney brand and rely on the generous health benefits and food banks the union described as available. to security. Disney said it made efforts to communicate with the "cast" -- the industry term for employees who play princesses and pirates, as well as cooks or groundskeepers.
"We honor and respect our cast and crew and understand the important role they play in creating entertainment for our guests," Disney said in a statement, adding that discussions with the team Representing his employees will continue on July 22 and they are trying to qualify. agreement. "This focus on what is most important to our current players, helps attract new players and positions the Disneyland Resort for growth and employment."
The last trial at Disneyland was in 1984 and lasted 22 days.
Ms. Carranza described the grueling work she did every night in the park - cleaning, bleaching, repairing floors and sometimes laying carpets. He said that living in his car last summer was the lowest point of his life, and he credits his dog for keeping him alive. "I know they're the reason I'm still here, so I'm not going to let them go," he said. "There were times when I questioned what I was doing here and how I was going to get back on my feet." was called in response to complaints that employees were being punished for wearing Mickey logos and posting group messages in the park. In June, the union filed an unfair labor complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Disney for "unlawful conduct, threats and protection of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons."
 |
| Disneyland train conductor Cecilia Quail poses with her granddaughter while protesting outside the park. |
Colleen Palmer, a negotiator for UFCW Local 324, has worked at Disneyland for nearly 37 years, earning about $24 an hour as a "store manager." He said he had been wearing the team badge for less than half an hour before authorities told him to remove it. Palmer said the employees are responsible for making sure customers get the Disneyland experience, and their loyalty and expertise should pay off. He said that workers believe that the pay gap between workers and executives is outrageous: Disney CEO Bob Iger's compensation is $31.6 million in 2023 - hundreds of times what the Disneyland team earns. “Makes you wonder why you want to know me? Because I make you the money, so now you can buy the same game,'' he said, referring to the news that Mr. Iger and his wife have taken over a women's soccer team in Los Angeles, the Angel City Football Club. . The US job crisis According to the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute, CEO salaries rose 1,460 percent between 1978 and 2021. are private jobs, considered jobs, not jobs. , and the users are usually fans of the Disney brand. some call it Disney worship. employees receive benefits such as free admission to Disney parks for family and friends. But they also say that Disney doesn't change when faced with family problems or illness. Many have second and third jobs, and Disneyland's unpredictable schedule makes it difficult to switch. It's a dream job for part-time students and retirees, but it doesn't pay a living wage in and around Anaheim, an affluent city whose biggest employer is Disney, officials said. "Without us, Disney would be like anywhere else," said Morgan, who lived with her children in motels around Disneyland for four years and chose to be identified only by her middle name. . Morgan lost his home due to the breakup of his marriage, and the cheap motel was used to pay off his Disney debt. When her children are with their mother, she usually lies outside and hides in the shade to avoid the police or robbers. You now have a perfect second job - one you can do from home - and a house you can afford from your savings. However, he is proud of his work selling Disney products, and says that all members take the job seriously. “It's not the animatronics, it's us. At least respect us enough to pay us fair wages.
