7 reasons Disneyland characters want to unionize

Mickey Mouse and his gal pal Minnie are unhappy with working conditions at Disneyland and are trying to unionize with hundreds of coworkers who want more cheese in their paychecks and safety issues addressed, according to the union organizing workers.

Disneyland’s 1,700 character and parade performers are seeking to unionize under the Actors’ Equity Association, which has represented Walt Disney World stage actors since 1990. Disney World characters in Florida have been represented by the Teamsters union for more than 40 years.

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“We believe that our cast members deserve to have all the facts and the right to a confidential vote that recognizes their individual choices,” according to Disneyland officials.

Equity has been circulating a list of key issues facing nonunion Disneyland characters and parade performers and unionized Disney World stage actors that compares how those concerns are addressed on both coasts.

Disneyland officials contest many of the issues raised by Actors’ Equity Association and contend some statements made by the union to cast members are untrue.

Here are the seven key reasons Disneyland characters and parade performers want to unionize, according to the Actors’ Equity Association.

1) Pay

Walt Disney World actors represented by Equity are paid a minimum wage ranging from $21.30 to $23 per hour with pay bumps of $5.75 per hour for coach, captain or lead jobs.

Disneyland character and parade performer base pay increased from $20 to $24.15 per hour after union organizing began, according to Equity.

Raises for Disneyland nonunion hourly cast members were established in September and implemented in January, according to Disneyland officials.

While Disney characters like Elsa and Anna from “Frozen” appear as meet-and-greet characters, parade performers and stage actors, the roles fall into distinct departments at the parks with different pay scales and performance protocols.

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Comparing Disneyland character and parade performers to Walt Disney World stage actors is an apples-to-oranges comparison, according to Disneyland officials.

Equity offers the coast-to-coast comparison to highlight the differences between the cost of living in California and Florida for cast members, Disney parlance for employees.

The cost of living in Orange County is 51% higher than the national average compared to Orlando, Florida, which is 5% above the national average, according to the Payscale cost of living calculator.

The median price of a home in Orange County ($1.1 million) and monthly rent ($3,523) is more than double the cost in Orlando, Florida for a home ($500,000) or rent ($1,520), according to Payscale.

2) Annual raises

Disney World actors represented by Equity get annual raises as part of their union contract and minimum wages are increased each year for new hires.

Raises aren’t guaranteed for Disneyland character and parade performers, according to Equity.

Nonunion hourly employees like Disneyland characters and parade performers typically get annual raises in January, according to Disneyland officials.

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3) Safety issues

Safety concerns raised by Disneyland characters and parade performers are often ignored by management while incident reports are discouraged and health care treatment is denied, according to Equity.

Disney World theme parks have safety committees and grievance procedures, according to Equity.

Safety is a top priority for Disneyland and cast members have multiple methods for escalating safety concerns with leaders and management, according to Disneyland officials.

4) Costumes

Disneyland characters and parade performers share costume pieces — including shoes and wigs, according to Equity.

Disney World actors represented by Equity have their own costumes that must be cleaned and dried.

Disneyland thoroughly sanitizes costumes between each use, according to Disneyland officials.

5) Scheduling

Disneyland parades can be canceled without notice due to weather and performers have no guarantee of weekly hours or being cast in future parades, according to Equity.

Disney World must provide 72 hours notice for stage show cancellations, according to Equity.

Disneyland and Walt Disney World often make scheduling changes at the last moment due to changing weather conditions, according to Disneyland officials.