Negotiations for Disneyland Performers’ First Union Contract Encounter Challenges

Magic United, affiliated with Actors’ Equity, represents 1,700 parade, show, and character cast members at Disneyland. They are currently negotiating their first contract with Disney. The negotiations are reportedly facing difficulties.

Historically, most Disneyland employees have been unionized for decades. However, the characters and parades department remained nonunion until workers voted to organize in 2024. This decision came amid California’s cost-of-living crisis following the pandemic, leading to negotiations for a first contract.

Disagreements have arisen over the characterization of Disney’s proposals. Disney asserts it is setting initial employment terms rather than removing union benefits. The union contends that workers currently have benefits like paid parental leave. Omitting these from the initial contract would effectively strip employees of those advantages, according to the union.

The Los Angeles Times highlighted some progress on health and safety issues, yet tensions remain. Points of contention include the company’s matching contributions to employees’ 401(k) plans and the policy on shift trading without managerial approval.

“Disneyland is often presented as ‘the ultimate family-friendly destination,’ but that’s no longer the case for 1,700 cast members in the characters and parades departments who create Disney magic,” a union representative stated, emphasizing the roles these workers play.

The union claims that Disney seeks to remove paid parental leave, reduce paid holidays, decrease 401(k) contributions, and complicate shift swapping for employees.

Actors’ Equity’s executive director, Al Vincent Jr., criticized the proposal to discontinue paid parental leave, questioning Disney’s family-friendly reputation. Conversely, Jessica Jakary, a Disneyland spokesperson, defended Disney’s stance, highlighting competitive benefits and a collaborative history with unions.

Disney maintains its commitment to the negotiations, addressing misunderstandings related to wage comparisons with Walt Disney World in Florida. The company clarifies it has not proposed restrictive shift trading but merely sets managerial approval limitations.

Disney claims to have proposed wage increases during the agreement’s duration, continuing to provide annual raises. As of December 2025, Disney states full-time and part-time cast members in this bargaining unit have received a 4% increase.