10 FAQs about what happens if Disneyland workers go on strike

3 months ago

The threat of a workers strike hanging over Disneyland has left employees and visitors alike wondering what a walkout could mean for everything from parking and rides to restaurants and shopping at the Anaheim theme park.

Union members voted 99% in favor of authorizing a strike on Friday, July 19 in an election held by Master Services Council, which represents 14,000 Disneyland employees from four unions.

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Disney negotiators and union officials were scheduled to meet on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23 in hopes of arriving at an agreement.

Here are the answers to 10 frequently asked questions about the potential Disneyland strike.

Disneyland union employees and supporters rally outside the theme park’s Harbor Boulevard entrance in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Ride operators, candy makers and ticket takers are fighting for a pay raise ahead of a planned strike vote on Friday. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

1) Are Disneyland workers on strike right now?

A strike date has not been scheduled and the Disneyland resort continues to welcome visitors, according to Disneyland officials.

It’s unlikely a strike will be called while the two sides are still negotiating — but a labor stoppage could happen anytime now that the authorization has been approved.

2) Will Disneyland close if there is a strike?

“Our Disneyland resort parks and hotels will remain open and ready to welcome guests if any number of our Disney cast members strike,” according to Disneyland officials.

Disneyland has plans in place to remain open in the event of a strike, according to the Disneyland FAQ. Disney California Adventure and the Disney hotels would not be impacted by a strike, according to the Disneyland FAQ.

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A strike would affect only a portion of Disneyland cast members. Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney and the three Disney hotels would remain open if Disneyland cast members strike, according to the Disneyland FAQ.

3) Are negotiations at an impasse?

“Negotiations are still on-going and we are optimistic that we will reach an agreement,” according to the Disneyland FAQ.

The union coalition — which has been negotiating with Disney over a new contract since April — represents ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers, ticket takers, parking attendants, tram drivers and other cast members, Disney parlance for employees.

The Disneyland contract covering approximately 9,000 employees expired June 16. The Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney contracts covering approximately 5,000 employees expire on Sept. 30.

“Master Services Council’s strike authorization is not unusual as part of a negotiations process and we look forward to continuing discussions,” according to Disneyland officials.

4) What areas of Disneyland would be most impacted by a strike?

The biggest impacts at Disneyland would be to rides, retail, custodial, parking, trams and the front gate.

Disneyland food and beverage, outdoor vending and entertainment would not be directly impacted by a strike.

Employees at Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, Disney hotels and Disneyland resort security would not be involved in a strike.

Non-striking Disneyland resort employees and management could be moved into striking roles, according to MiceChat.

“Disney has been considering plans to have managers and other non-union employees fill empty positions in the event of a strike, as well as having workers from California Adventure (whose contract isn’t up until September) switch parks as necessary,” according to MiceChat. “However, this is easier said than done. It isn’t safe for anyone to operate an attraction, tram and many other systems without full training as it could result in injury to a guest or a cast member.”

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The Disneyland resort employs more than 35,000 cast members. A strike would be limited to the 9,000 Disneyland employees represented by Master Services Council.

5) Is the union likely to call a strike?

Master Services Council is prepared to move forward with a strike if a new contract is not agreed upon by Tuesday, July 22, according to MousePlanet.

MousePlanet reports the union said in a statement to workers: “If Disney is not prepared to agree to the offer you deserve after two more days of bargaining, we will move forward with the actions we need to take and that you have overwhelmingly voiced your support for.”

MousePlanet reports union representatives said in a call with members: “The threat of a strike is more powerful than the strike itself.”

6) How long would a strike last?

Union representatives said in a call with members that they were looking at a “short, three-ish day strike,” according to MousePlanet.

7) How will Disneyland employees be notified of a strike?

Union representatives will notify Disneyland employees in person or by phone, text or social media if and when it is time to walk out, according to the union FAQ.

If a strike is called, on-the-job employees should clock out immediately and join the picket line for the rest of their shift, according to the union FAQ. Employees not working at the time a strike is called would report to the picket line during their next regularly scheduled shift, according to the union FAQ.

8) Will Disneyland workers still get paid during a strike?

A union strike fund would pay a benefit to striking workers, according to the union FAQ.

9) Could Disneyland employees lose their jobs if they strike?

Disneyland employees are entitled to their former jobs at the end of the strike and can’t be permanently replaced, according to the union FAQ.

A Disney employee wears a union pin while working at Mickey’s Toontown inside Disneyland at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, in 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)