NEWS: Unions Representing 14,000+ Cast Members Reach Deal with Disney

After previously authorizing a strike due to unfair labor practices, four unions representing Cast Members have come to a tentative agreement with Disney.

Disneyland

Members voted to authorize the strike, with 99% approving the plan. But, it seems as though a strike may not happen after all, as Disney and the unions have reached a tentative agreement.

UPDATE: Disneyland unions have agreed to a historic 31% pay increase, to be given over the next three years. Read more here.

On Friday, July 19th, 2024, four unions representing more than 14,000 Cast Members around Disneyland Resort voted to authorize a strike — which would have been the first walkout in the park in 40 years. Custodians, ride operators, candy makers, and merchandise clerks are the Cast Members at the center of the fight.

But, it looks like Disney may have avoided a strike altogether by reaching a tentative agreement with the unions.

Disneyland

A statement on the UFCW 324 union website reads:

“We have reached a tentative agreement with Disney. We have fought hard for the past four months and this tentative agreement would not have been possible without the strength we showed this past week with our rally and Unfair Labor Practice vote.

We achieved our goals – a three-year contract that contains significant wage increases for all cast members, seniority increases and the retention of premiums. We also addressed issues that will make the attendance policy work better for cast members.”

We love Cast Members!

The @DisneyWorkersRising account on X, which represents some of the unions, also shared their celebrations of the agreement which reportedly includes a “3-year contract that contains significant wage increases for all cast members, seniority increases and additional premiums as well as the retention of premiums” and a better attendance policy.

We achieved our goals – a 3-year contract that contains significant wage increases for all cast members, seniority increases and additional premiums as well as the retention of premiums. We also addressed issues that will make the attendance policy work better for cast members.

— DisneyWorkersRising (@disneyrising24) July 24, 2024

According to Scott Gustin, Disneyland confirmed the tentative agreement, saying that they “reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract.” You can read Disney’s statement below:

NEW: Disneyland Resort confirms they reached a tentative agreement with the Master Services Council on a new three-year contract. pic.twitter.com/c2AMhrXFuy

— Scott Gustin 🔜 D23 Expo (@ScottGustin) July 24, 2024

The unions had cited economic hardship including housing and food insecurity as reasons for authorizing the strike originally.

Keep in mind that this is a tentative agreement and must still be voted on and approved by the union members after they’ve had the chance to review it. The vote will take place on July 29th from 6:30AM to 8PM at Disneyland, with an exact location to be determined.

Cast Members are truly what make Disneyland and Disney World — along with the rest of the Disney parks — so magical, and they certainly wouldn’t be the same without them!

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for the latest news from Disneyland, Disney World, and more. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for everything you need to know!