(NewsNation) — Disneyland performers who bring beloved characters to life — including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Cinderella — are looking to unionize.
Cast members who want to form the union, which they are calling “Magic United,” announced the campaign Tuesday. They are seeking to address issues in costuming, such as keeping items clean and using appropriate fabrics for high-intensity dancing. They also want more stable scheduling.
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.
While most of the more than 35,000 workers at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California already have labor unions, about 1,700 performers in parades, character actors and support staff do not.
Union cards were circulated starting last week to promote forming a labor 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, organizers told The Associated Press.
Actors’ Equity officials haven’t said 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 recognize the union rather than 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.
The union has advised California workers not to speak on the record about unionizing, said David Levy, an Actors’ Equity spokesperson.
In California, Disney’s cleaning crews, food service workers, pyrotechnic specialists and security staff are already unionized. 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 wound up in the courts.
The effort to organize performers in the character and parade departments in California comes more than 40 years after those who play Mickey, Goofy and Donald Duck at Disney World in Florida were organized in the early 1980s by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a union traditionally known to represent transportation workers.
At that time, the Florida performers complained about filthy costumes and abuse from guests, such as children who would kick the shins of Disney villains like Captain Hook or others who grabbed the chests of Mickey Mouse performers to see if they were a male or female.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
